Shah downs Bueno, suffers defeat later to crash out

KARACHI: It was a mixed fortune for Pakistan’s lone Olympic hope Shah Hussain Shah when he won his first bout against a judoka from Uruguay but went down against his rival from the Netherlands in the World Judo Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Saturday.
Japan-based former Pakistan’s Olympic medallist boxer Hussain Shah’s son Shah Hussain defeated Uruguay’s Bueno Manuel in his first -100 kilogramme bout that lasted for one minute and 46 seconds. The win earned him full points that would improve his world ranking which will be unveiled after two weeks.
However, Shah was downed by Korrel Michael of the Netherlands in two minutes and seven micro-seconds. The loss also ended Shah’s journey in the global affair.
Meanwhile another Japan-based young fighter Wajahat Sarwar was defeated by highly experienced Sayidov Ramziddin of Uzbekistan in -100kg.
It was the first fight for Wajahat at the senior level.
Pakistan’s Iranian coach Sajjad Kazemi said Shah played well but a coach should have accompanied him.
“He made some mistakes that harmed him in his second fight,” Sajjad said.
“He should have a coach with him. A player cannot fight with perfection in the absence of a coach,” Sajjad pointed out.
However, he was quick to add that Shah had a solid chance of qualifying for Rio Olympics.
“If Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) fields him in the Grand Slam, Grand Prix and World Cup then I am sure he will qualify for Rio,” Sajjad said. Sajjad has been training Pakistan’s squad in Islamabad for the South Asian Games.