ISLAMABAD: Iran dominated the men’s division while Saudi Arabia took the top spot in women’s event as the seventh Combaxx Asian International Open Taekwondo Championship concluded here at the Pakistan Sports Board’s Liaquat Gymnasium on Thursday

Hosts Pakistan claimed the second position in men’s and women’s categories while Egypt secured the third place in both the categories.

In the men’s 63kg final, Iran’s Mahdi Haji Mousaei clinched gold with a thumping 2-0 victory over Pakistan’s Nauman Khan while Iran’s Arash Zameni secured bronze.

The 80kg men’s category saw Kazakhstan’s Abdurakhmon dominate Pakistan’s Mazhar Abbas 2-0 to claim gold while Pakistan’s Mohammad Iqbal overcame Afghanistan’s Omid Sahak to clinch bronze.

Women’s competition witnessed Saudi Arabia’s Dunya Ali Abutaleb triumph over Pakistan’s Naqsh Hamdani to secure gold in the 53kg category while Lojain Ahmed of Saudi Arabia earned bronze with a commanding 2-0 victory over Mali’s Iman Kanoute. Greece’s Styliani Marentaki captured gold in -67kg and Pakistan’s Hajra Shakeel took home bronze.

Iran’s Mahdi Haji Mousaei was crowned best male athlete while Saudi Arabia’s Dunya Ali Abutaleb earned the best female athlete award. Pakistan’s Hamza Saeed and Mali’s Iman Kanoute were honoured for their exceptional fighting spirit. Coaching accolades went to Saudi Arabia’s Qurban and Iran’s Mohammad Azizi.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2025