ISLAMABAD: Former World Judo medalist and European champion Sabrina Filzmose termed Pakistan as the nicest country in the world where every citizen always gets ready to help you no matter how busy they are.
Sabrina, who is in the capital on her second trip to Pakistan in a two years’ time, said that all these years her effort had been to let the world know that the country has a lot to offer to visitors from foreign countries.
Unlike her 2023 cycle trip to Pakistan where she rode to K-2 Base Camp from Islamabad, this year she started her journey from Sea View Karachi and has reached Islamabad the other day. She would be on her way to K-2 Enroute Babu Sar Pass starting today (Saturday). “I would be riding through new route and confront more challenges and to enjoy different beauty this time.”
Sabrina rode through Hyderabad, Sukkur, RYK, Multan, Sahiwal, Lahore, and Jhelum reaching Islamabad on 29th May. Throughout her route, she received a warm welcome from local Judo clubs and national sports bodies across Sindh and Punjab. Notably, she completed an inspiring 330 km leg from Hyderabad to Sukkur in a single day under extreme temperatures exceeding 50°C, exemplifying resilience, When she was here in 2023, Sabrina stressed on the Pakistan women to take up judo as a sport.
“I am happy to see a girl (Malika) from Lakki Marwat taking up an international trip. It is just a start and I am hopeful that more girls will follow judo. My mission is judo for peace,” Sabrina said.
Accompanied by Pakistan Judo Federation President Col (r) Junaid Alam during press talk Friday, the former Olympian judokas said she would feel happy to help Pakistan’s young athletes make a name for themselves and for the country in the game.
“It is just a matter of starting your efforts to attain perfection in martial arts. You need hard work and consistency and required coaching to become a world-level athlete. I would suggest Pakistan women, youth to make the best of their talent and opportunities coming their way.”
Sabrina was a 2005 and 2010 World bronze medalist, and 2008 and 2011 European Champion in her weight category. She is the winner of the Super World Cup Tournoi de Paris 2006 and 2008 and winner of the Grand Slam in Paris twice. Bronze medalist at the Grand Prix in Cancun in 2017. In 2019 she took bronze at the Grand Prix in Budapest and participated in Tokyo 2020, her fourth Olympics.
Earlier Friday morning, Sabrina met Secretary IPC Mohyuddin Wani who offered every assistance for judo and even promised to help extend national judo coach tenure. The European champion has also established the world’s highest Judo Club named Everest Club in Nepal which was supported by the International Judo Federation.
“Pakistan Judo Federation is grateful that Sabrina chose our beautiful country for this peace mission. She has consented to hold talent hunt and training sessions before the expedition, during the expedition as well after the expedition,” the PJF president said.