Pakistan shooter Gulfam, badminton star Mahoor lose opening ties

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Pakistan shooter Gulfam, badminton star Mahoor lose opening ties

The Newspaper's Sports Reporter Published July 25, 2021

PAKISTAN’S Mahoor Shahzad hits a shot against Akane Yamaguchi of Japan during their women’s singles badminton group-stage match at the Musashino Forest Sports Plaza on Saturday. — AFP

LAHORE: Pakistan’s campaign at the Tokyo Olympics was off to an ordinary start on Saturday as shooter Gulfam Joseph failed to qualify in the 10M Air Pistol competition while invitational place entrant Mahoor Shahzad was beaten by world number four Yamaguchi Akane of Japan in her opening match of the badminton event.

Gulfam finished ninth in 10M Air Pistol Olympic Qualification. As per rules, the first eight shooters were to enter the finals but Joseph was unlucky on the day as he was tied with No. 7 and No. 8 with the same score of 578/600 and was edged out.

Mahoor, a prolific player and a former national champion, lost to Akane 21-3, 21-8. Mahoor’s next match is against Kirsty Gilmour of Great Britain on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, another Invitational Place entrant from Pakistan, weightlifter Talha Talib, will be appearing in the 67kgs contest on Sunday.

Talha, 22, will become the first Pakistani weightlifter in 45 years to appear at the Olympics. He did not qualify directly for the Olympics as he got an Invitational Place on quota system.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2021

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Chrís Dăń

Jul 25, 2021 11:25am

For me ,genuinelly speaking it is more than satisfying that Pakistani women players are at least trying. I can imagine the social pressures on them,absence of any confidence building neasures on home ground and a generally negative attitude of conservative pakistani people-bravo Girls- you at least came on international pitch. Next time!!!

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KuKhan

Jul 25, 2021 11:54am

Proud of our athletes participating in Olympics. The sad saga and role of Pakistan Olympics Association, as well as hockey and football associations are a bleeding sore for the country. Perks and privileges of the officials of these associations are the only means to an end. Our weight lifer Talib trained at local school in Gujranwala before Olympics, with no supervision, and similar is the story of other athletes.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Jul 25, 2021 02:15pm

Unfortunately, history has a tendency to repeat itself with a big bang.

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Jul 25, 2021 08:12pm

Mahoor, a prolific player and a former national champion, lost. Hope they also sent current national champion.

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RHS

Jul 25, 2021 09:56pm

The one positive I see at this Olympic event is that 30% of the Pakistan contingent is female. This has to be the highest percentage from Pakistan ever!

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Laila

Jul 25, 2021 11:25pm

Thankfully not a single comment critisizing her lack of dubatta, or showing of arms and wearing leggings showing the hale of her legs. Thankfully the regressive patriarchs and moral police haven't found their way here yet. More of this empowering news thank you!

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Faisal Ghani

Jul 26, 2021 01:30am

The report is kind of flawed. There were 3 people with equivalent score of 578 but then another criteria of shots concentrated in inner 10 are counted. The others had 28 and 20 shots respectively in inner 10 while our player only had 13 shots in inner 10. So saying that our player was 'unlucky' is not right. The games are a test of skill and the others rightfully gained positions due to their skills.

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