Shah needs to improve technique: Masood

KARACHI: A top official of Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) on Thursday said that Japan-based judoka Shah Hussain had a chance to make the cut for next year’s Olympics but he would need to work on his techniques ahead of major international events.
“No doubt, Shah has a chance. His win over Uruguay’s Bueno Manuel in the World Championships in Kazakhstan will improve his ranking, but he showed weakness in his newaza (ground technique) and he will have to work hard to improve it,” PJF secretary Masood Ahmed told ‘The News’ after returning from Astana.
After beating Bueno in the -100kg first bout the other day, Shah fell against Korrel Michael of the Netherlands.
“He overall played well against Korrel. What went against him was his ground technique,” Masood pointed out.
“I have a video of his fight against the player from the Netherlands and that shows Shah has some problems,” the official said.
“Had he beaten the Dutch he would have been in the repechage. In that case there could have been a chance of a medal,” added the official.
Masood said the PJF plans to field him in a few major events so that he could improve his ranking. “He will need to improve his ranking, 30 to 34, till May next year. We plan to field him in the Grand Slams in the UAE, Australia and Japan this year. But the government will have to support our bid,” Masood said.
He was not satisfied with the performance of Wajahat Sarwar, another Japan-based judoka, who was beaten by Sayidov Ramziddin of Uzbekistan in -100kg in the World Championships.
“I am not satisfied with the way Wajahat played,” Masood said. He said Wajahat looked well when he was practising with Shah before the fight.
Masood said the PJF would give Wajahat chances in junior international events.
“We will give him chances in junior events and further groom him,” he said. “We have told him to bring his weight down to 90 from -100kg if he wants to represent Pakistan in the South Asian Games,” the official said.