Shahzaib Rind, the top-ranked Wushu fighter in Pakistan, made history last week by becoming the first Pakistani to win the Karate Combat World Lightweight Championship. The 26-year-old from Balochistan achieved this milestone on September 18, defeating Brazilian Bruno Roberto de Assis on short notice after his original opponent withdrew due to injury.
In an interview following his return to Pakistan, Rind reflected on the significance of the fight. “My last opponent was very experienced, having competed in Karate Combat for ten years,” he stated. “It was a big opportunity for me, and I took the risk to go there and win.”
With an impressive combined record of 75 wins and 4 losses in Wushu and Kickboxing—mostly acquired through self-training via YouTube—Rind has elevated his skills by training under Asim Zaidi at the renowned Goat Shed gym in Miami, Florida. Zaidi is the president of Karate Combat, which has been hosting professional full-contact karate events worldwide since April 2018.
Rind’s undefeated streak in Karate Combat has seen him face opponents from North America, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, France, and India. Upon returning to Quetta, he was warmly welcomed by supporters, including the Chief Minister of Balochistan, which he described as a source of great strength and motivation.
Rind began his martial arts journey at the age of eight at the Young Tiger Wushu Academy in Quetta. He won his first provincial title in 2011 and claimed his first national title in 2019 at the National Games in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. His international debut came in 2014 at the West Asia Championship in Iran, where he triumphed over a world champion. Currently, he boasts a professional record of 7-0 in International Karate Combat.
Nasir Khan Sasoli, Rind’s first coach and a martial arts instructor in Quetta, praised his dedication and discipline. He urged the Balochistan government to support young athletes like Rind, who often leave sports due to a lack of resources. “The government should support Shahzaib now because he has brought an international title and recognition to Pakistan,” Sasoli emphasized.
Looking ahead, Rind’s next fight is scheduled for December 2024 in Dubai at the KC51 event, where he will face Luiz Victor Rocha, a member of the Brazilian national team. Rind expressed his eagerness to challenge top competitors in the world, saying, “I will fight anyone, anytime, anyplace.”
