TURIN: Pakistan’s special athletes continued their impressive run at the 12th Special Olympics World Winter Games as Afaq Khan bagged the third gold medal for Pakistan on Friday.

In the 100-meter snowshoeing race, Pakistan’s Afaq struck gold, outpacing Ahmed Al-Jilani from the United Arab Emirates, who took silver and Mon­g­olia’s Amarbold Munkhdul, who claimed bronze.

The Pakistani team also made a strong showing in the men’s 4x100-meter snowshoeing relay, with Moazzam Iqbal, Abdul Saboor, Muhammad Afaq and Ali Raza combining to secure the silver medal. Canada’s team took gold, while China’s athletes finished third.

In the women’s 4x100-meter snowshoeing relay, Pakistan’s Iqra Akram, Tabassum Nasir, Shah Guloon and Manahil also bagged the silver medal. Canada took first place and Chinese Taipei secured bronze.

Pakistan’s special athletes have now won a total of eight medals — three gold, three silver and two bronze — in cross-country skiing and snowshoeing events at the Games.

Pakistan’s Moazzam, Saboor Ahmed and Raza will be in action on Monday in the men’s 400-meter race, while Iqra and Manahil will compete in the women’s event.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2025