Shahzaib seeks top training to boost ranking

LAHORE: Underlining the significance of doing training with the best fighters Pakistan’s premier taekwondo fighter and World No6 Shahzaib Khan on Saturday said if he is able to get training with the best sparring partners he can further progress and boost his world ranking.

“A coach plays a key role in a fighter’s growth but sparring with the top athletes counts a lot. It shows you your weaknesses and you work on them and you learn new tricks,” Shahzaib told ‘The News’ in an interview.

Shahzaib recently became the first Pakistani fighter to claim a silver medal in the Asian Championship in Vietnam. The feat also helped him move to World No6.

Shahzaib eyes the 2028 Olympics and he is optimistic that he will achieve this target as he has time at his disposal.

“You know there is a four-year cycle and my whole focus is to qualify for the 2028 Olympics. I will set small targets to achieve them. There are loads of events to come and I will try my level best to keep my ranking high,” Shahzaib said. He is a sort of fighter who has beaten even the world’s best in his career.

“You know I have beaten some top fighters from the Central Asian countries as well as from Iran and South Korea and I am confident to conquer major lot in the region,” Shahzaib said.

He has been trained by Iran’s former world champion Yousuf Karami who has been associated with the Pakistan’s squad since long.

And Shahzaib said Yousuf’s presence has benefitted him.

“There is no doubt about that Yousuf is a fine coach and being a former world champion his say counts a lot and it gives you a lot of weightage as a fighter as you develop your skills under such a high-class coach who has been a role model in the sport,” Shahzaib said.

Asked whether he has been rewarded for his splendid show in the Asian Championship the athlete said that no one contacted him.

“Only my federation has given me 200 dollars and neither Army Chief nor Air Marshal or anyone else has encouraged me and I can say this without any hesitation,” the fighter said. He said motivation is very important for an athlete’s progress. “If you are not motivated then it impedes the progress of an athlete,” said Shahzaib, who plays in -54 kilogramme weight category.