Shah, Hamid take Pakistan’s gold tally to 31

KARACHI: National judokas Shah Hussain and Hamid Ali snared gold medals in their respective weight categories on Monday to inflate Pakistan’s gold tally to 31 on the penultimate day of the 13th South Asian Games in Kathmandu.

Tokyo-based Olympian Shah picked gold in the -100kg while Hamid secured the gold in the +100kg. Both Shah and Hamid, whose weight fights were held undr league system, defeated Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India to win golds.

Judoka Qaiser Khan (90kg) and Karamat Butt (-81kg) got silver medals, while Beenish Khan (+78kg) clinched bronze. On Sunday, Humaira Ashiq, Tokyo-based Amina Toyoda and Mohammad Hasnain had got bronze. Sor far Pakistan has grabbed two gold, two silver and four bronze medals in individual judo competitions. Team fights will be conducted on Tuesday (today).

Following massive failure during the last few days, finally the swimming squad gave something to cheer about as the country’s highly gutsy swimmer Bisma Khan claimed silver in 200m individual medley. Pakistan’s men swimming team, featuring Haseeb Tariq, Yahya Khan, Zeeshan Akbar ansd Mohammad Babar, claimed bronze in 4x200m freestyle relay.

In swimming 4x100m medley, Pakistan, carrying Haseeb Tariq, Azghar Abbas, Yahya Khan and Mehrwan Patel got bronze.

The country’s experienced boxer Sanaullah lost the 91kg final to Indian boxer Chauhan Goruove and had to be content with silver medal. Sanaullah had got bye in the first round as there were only three entries in his weight category. Pakistan’s promising boxer Mohammad Asif (52kg) and Gul Zeb (69kg) will play their respective finals today.

Asif will meet Sparsh Kumar and Gul will take on Krishan Vikas in the finals. “I have worked very hard and InshaAllah will give good news to the nation,” Asif told ‘The News’ from Kathmandu.

Both beat Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi boxers in their previous bouts. Pakistan have already got five bronze besides Sanaullah’s silver medal. Pakistan also took bronze in men’s kabaddi and beach volleyball.

In the men’s squash, Pakistan beat Nepal 3-0, Sri Lanka 3-0, and Bangladesh 3-0. In the women’s event, Pakistan beat Sri Lanka 2-1 and will play against Nepal today. Pakistan will face India in the squash team final today. By the close of the slots on Monday, Pakistan had taken 31 gold, 37 silvers and 59 bronze medals and were confirmed to finish at the fourth place.

India lead the medals table with 143 gold, 83 silvers and 43 bronze medals. They are followed by hosts Nepal (49-51-83) and Sri Lanka (36-76-107). Bangladesh (19-30-78) are fifth, Maldives (1-0-3) sixth and Bhutan last (0-5-13).