ISLAMABAD: Shah Hussain Shah is on the cusp of becoming the first judoka from Pakistan to take part in the Olympic Games.

Despite losing to Brazil’s Rafael Buzacarini last week in last round of the Judo Grand Prix in Almaty, Kazakhstan — which served as qualifiers for this year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Shah Hussain has all but sealed his spot at the quadrennial sporting extravaganza through the continental quota.

“Despite not being able to win a medal in the qualifiers, Shah’s good performance saw him bag 246 ranking points and that will see him bag the continental quota in the -100kg category according to the recently-released International Judo Federation (IJF) list,” Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) secretary Masood Ahmed said on Tuesday.

“Although the final list will be released on May 30, Shah’s place is very much certain. At present, things are going in our favour and if the rankings don’t change by the end of this month, Shah will create history by becoming the first Pakistani judoka to qualify for the Olympics.”

In Rio, Shah Hussain will be looking to emulate his father, boxer Hussain Shah’s feats at the 1988 Olympics. Hussain won bronze during the Seoul Games and is one of only two individual Olympic medallists for Pakistan.

Masood, meanwhile, added that Shah needs to work hard for a podium finish.

“It will be premature to say how well he will do in the event but nothing is impossible,” Masood said. “He has time and if he works hard he can be on the podium in Rio.

“Since Shah’s [Iranian] coach Sajjad Kazmi is on a two-month leave, we might send him to Iran to train under him. We’ve also cordial relations with Iran’s Olympic Committee and will request them to allow Shah to prepare with their Olympic squad.”

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2016