September 2, 2003	Tuesday	Rajab 4, 1424

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KARACHI, Sept 1: Pakistan clinched two gold medals but lost the real fight when arch-rivals India’s Mohammad Ali Qamar defeated light-flyweight Noman Kareem at the Commonwealth boxing championship in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

According to information from Malaysia, Noman, a world championship bronze medallist lost to the Commonwealth Games champion Indian pugilist 40-27.

Asian Games gold medallist Meherullah and Asghar Ali Shah, however, brought joy for Pakistan when they scooped-up golds after convincing victories in the third edition of the tournament participated by Pakistan for the first time.

Meher, adjudged the best boxer of the tournament, grabbed the featherweight title after outboxing Northern Ireland’s Lindsay Martin 27-12.

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Asghar got the better of Tureano Johnson of Bahamas 29-18 to secure light-welterweight gold.

Muzaffar Iqbal collected the super-heavyweight bronze after losing in the semifinal.

Pakistan finished third in the contest after winning two golds, a silver and a bronze, while Australia emerged as the overall winners followed by India.

Pakistan’s Mohammad Akram Khan, the secretary of the Sindh Amateur Boxing Association, was declared the best referee judge of the tournament.