Pakistan claim two karate golds at SA Games

ISLAMABAD: Shahida and Mohammad Awais won back-to-back gold medals for Pakistan in women and men’s karate events respectively as the 13th South Asian Games got into action at three major cities of Nepal.

According to reports reaching here, Shahida grabbed individual kata gold leaving some renowned Indian and host Nepali girls behind. Karateka Awais also earned gold for Pakistan in below 84kg weight category. Baz Mohammad (above 84kg) and Niamatullah (kata) won silver medals.

Besides two golds, Pakistan also got three silvers and four bronze in karate events. Naz Gul, Nargis and Shahida combined in to win team kata silver. Iqra Anwar and Sabira won bronze in below 50kg and below 55kg categories respectively.

Naseer, Nauman and Niamatullah won bronze for the country in team kata. Murad also won bronze in below 55kg category.

Pakistan also earned one silver in taekwondo as Mehrunisa and Shahbaz Ahmed teamed up to earn silver in pair. Mehrunisa also won individual bronze while Mumtaz and Asifa got bronze in pair in taekwondo.

After the first day Pakistan earned two gold, four silver and seven bronze in karate and taekwondo.

More than 5,000 delegates including 2,715 athletes are participating in the 13th South Asian Games that would see competitions in 26 sports disciplines.

Nepal is fielding the highest number of athletes — 596 — in all the disciplines. India has sent 487 athletes in 22 disciplines, while Sri Lanka entered 564 athletes in 26 disciplines. Bangladesh sent 470 athletes in 25 disciplines, while Pakistan registered 263 athletes in 18 sports. Bhutan (116) and Maldives (216) are taking part in 18 and 12 disciplines, respectively.

The Games will offer a total of 1,115 medals — 317 gold, 317 silver and 481 bronze — with swimming being at the top with 38 gold medals.

Athletics is offering 36 gold medals, while taekwondo is offering 29. Out of the 27 disciplines included in the SA Games, paragliding was cancelled after the sport failed to get minimum of three teams.