KARACHI, Jan 6 Four Pakistani pugilists — Nadir Baloch, Mohib Bacha, Abdul Waheed and Adnan Hussain — stormed into the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament finals after recording impressive wins in their respective semi-final bouts at the KPT Sports Complex here on Wednesday.
Nadir of Pakistan Greens was in a punishing mood as he handed a crushing 14-1 defeat on Hassan Ali Shakir of Iraq.
Pakistan was assured of a gold medal in the light-flyweight category as Mohib out-boxed Uzbekistan's Mahmoudov Alisher 9-0. Mohib will face his compatriot Nadir in the final.
In the flyweight contest, Waheed faced a tough challenge from Niamogui Songlnkekani of Central Africa before chalking out a 5-2 victory.
Adnan outclassed China's Hanggi Bayin 5-1. The home boxer maintained his pressure over the opponent with solid defence and target scoring punches.
However Pakistan's gold medal hope in flyweight division, Mohammad Waseem suffered a 1-5 defeat at the hands of Thailand's Anan Pongkhet.
Pakistan Whites' Nawaz Dad faced heavy punishment from Syrian boxer Ibrahim Sanda.
Besides four host boxers, two boxers from Syria, Mongolia, Thailand, and one more from China and Uzbekistan earned a place in the finals. Five boxers from China are in the finals.
After Thursday's rest day, the final bouts in 11 weight divisions will be held on Friday.
Results
Semi-finals
Light-flyweight (48kg) Nadir Baloch (Pakistan Greens) bt Hassan Ali Shakir (Iraq) 14-1 on pts; Mohib Bacha (Pakistan Whites) bt Mahmudov Alisher (Uzbekistan) 9-0 on pts.
Flyweight (51kg) Abdul Wahed (Pakistan Whites) bt Niamogui Songlnekani (C. Africa) 5-1 on pts; Anan Pongkhet (Thailand) bt Mohammad Waseem (Pakistan Greens) 5-1 on pts.
Bantamweight (54kg) J. Otgnbayar (Mongolia) bt Nguyen Van Hai (Vietnam) 3-1 on pts; Yong Dang (China) bt Yuan Kao (Taipei) 7-0 on pts.
Featherweight (57kg) Donchai Thathi (Thai) bt Muhammad Ridhwan (Singapore) 5-0 on pts; Wessam Salamana (Syria) bt Ketchemi Justin (C. Africa) 2-0 on pts.
Lightweight (60kg) Ibrahim Sanda (Syria) bt Nawaz Dad (Pakistan Whites) 5-0 on pts; Adnan Hussain (Pakistan Greens) bt Hanggai Bayin (China) 5-1.
Light-welterweight (73kg) Mashhurbek Ruziyev (Uzbekistan) bt Chin Fa Su (Taipei) 6-1 on pts; B. Tuvshinbat (Mongolia) bt Bilige Huricha (China) 4-3 on pts.—APP
