In a remarkable achievement, Pakistan’s taekwondo team made history at the 6th Asian Open (Kyorugi) Taekwondo Championship in Indonesia, securing the championship title with an impressive haul of three gold, three silver, and two bronze medals.
This momentous victory marks the first time both male and female athletes from Pakistan have achieved such success at an international taekwondo event abroad.
Pakistan’s athletes showcased extraordinary skill and resilience, placing first in the championship, followed by Kazakhstan in second place and Malaysia in third. The event, held from October 14 to 17, spotlighted the rising talent of Pakistani athletes on the Asian stage.
On Thursday, Haroon Khan delivered an exceptional performance in the -58kg category, defeating fellow countryman Abubakar in the final with scores of 6-4 and 9-7 to claim the gold medal. In the women’s -73kg final, Manisha Ali emerged victorious, defeating Indonesia’s Paramata Sari with scores of 4-1 and 8-2. Earlier in the tournament, Shahzaib earned Pakistan’s first gold in the -54kg category.
The medal winners for Pakistan included:
- Gold: Shahzaib (-54 kg), Haroon Khan (-58 kg), Manisha Ali (-73 kg)
- Silver: Abubakar (-58 kg), Ikhtasham Ul Haq (-87 kg), Hamza Omer Saeed (+87 kg)
- Bronze: Mazhar Abbas (-80 kg), Maliha Ali (-73 kg)
Adding to the glory, the Pakistani team was awarded the prestigious “Best Team” title, while Shahzaib was recognized as the “Best Athlete” of the championship. Yousaf Karami was honored as the “Best Coach,” further highlighting Pakistan’s dominance in the competition.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Pakistan’s taekwondo athletes, as they continue to shine on the international stage.
