In a remarkable display of skill, Pakistan’s Shahzeb Khan secures the gold medal in the -54kg category, overcoming strong competition to achieve a historic victory for his country.
Pakistan’s Shahzeb Khan triumphed in the final of the -54kg weight category at the Asia Open Khyurogi Taekwondo Championship, earning the coveted gold medal by defeating Calamba from the Philippines.
The match, held recently, showcased a thrilling competition between the two athletes.
In the opening round, Calamba took an early lead, scoring 11 points compared to Shahzeb’s six.
However, Shahzeb quickly turned the tide in the second round, displaying exceptional skill and strategy to secure a 10-3 victory.
He continued his dominant performance in the final round, achieving an impressive 18-0 score, thereby clinching Pakistan’s first gold medal in this prestigious event.
Shahzeb’s path to the finals included a challenging semi-final where he faced Hidayat Tomakaka from Indonesia.
He showcased his resilience by overcoming his opponent with scores of 12-14, 16-14, and a decisive 22-0 in the final bout of the semi-finals.
In another highlight from the championship, Kazakhstan’s Kablan claimed the gold in the +87kg weight category by defeating Pakistan’s Hamza Saeed.
The match ended with scores of 5-1 and 4-4, securing the silver medal for Hamza.
The success of both athletes was celebrated by Pakistan’s sports officials, including Pakistan Olympic Association President Syed Abid Qadri, Secretary General Khalid Mahmood, Chairperson of Special Olympics Pakistan Ronak Lakhani, Pakistan Taekwondo Federation President Col Waseem Janjua, and CEO Omar Saeed, who extended their congratulations to Shahzeb for his gold medal and to Hamza for his silver medal, highlighting the nation’s growing prowess in taekwondo on the Asian stage.