Iran clinch Asian Taekwondo title

ISLAMABAD: Iran clinched the 7th Asian International Open Taekwondo Championship title that concluded here at the Liaquat Gymnasium Friday.

Pakistan finished as the runners-up, with Egypt securing third position. In the women’s category, Saudi Arabia claimed the top position, with Pakistan and Egypt taking second and third places, respectively.

Iran’s Mahdi Haji Mousaei was named the Best Male Athlete, while Saudi Arabia’s Dunya Ali Abutaleb won the Best Female Athlete award. The Best Coach awards went to Saudi Arabia’s Qurban and Iran’s Mohammad Azizi.

On the final day, Iran’s Mahdi Haji Mousaei won gold in the 63kg men’s final, defeating Pakistan’s Nauman Khan 2-0. Iran’s Arash Zameni secured third place, while Saudi Arabia’s Mustafa Alkhawahar finished fourth.

In the 80kg men’s category, Kazakhstan’s Abdurakhmon defeated Pakistan’s Mazhar Abbas 2-0 to win gold. Pakistan’s Mohammad Iqbal claimed third place, while Afghanistan’s Omid Sahak took fourth.

Saudi Arabia’s Dunya Ali Abutaleb secured gold by defeating Pakistan’s Naqsh Hamdani in the women’s 53kg category. Lojain Ahmed of Saudi Arabia took third place. Greece’s Styliani Marentaki triumphed in the -67kg women’s category, overcoming Mali’s Iman Kanoute 2-0 to secure gold. Pakistan’s Hajra Shakeel took third place, while Maliha Ali of Pakistan finished fourth.