TURIN: Pakistan’s special athletes added to their medal tally on Saturday during the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin with multiple athletes winning medals in various events.

Muneeb Ur Rehman won his second gold medal of the Games in the men’s 100-metre cross-country skiing event, while Abdul Saboor and Manahil won gold medals in the men’s and women’s 400-meter snowshoeing races, respectively.

Pakistan’s special athletes have won a total of 11 medals, including, six gold, three silver and two bronze medals, thanks to their impressive performance at the Games.

Muneeb led the charge as he cruised to victory ahead of Mongolia’s Amarjargal while China’s Mingjun Hong took the bronze medal.

Muneeb had earlier won the gold medal in the men’s 50-metre cross-country skiing event.

In the men’s 400-meter snowshoeing race, Saboor clinched the gold medal, outpacing Romania’s Lonut Petrisor, second, and Macau’s Chi Fong, who took third place.

Pakistan’s women athletes also made their mark, with Manahil winning the gold medal in the women’s 400-meter snowshoeing race. Latvia’s Adriana Maleca finished second, while Chinese Taipei’s Yi Jhen Chen bagged the bronze medal, finishing third.

Chairperson of Special Olympics Pakistan, Ronak Lakhani, congratulated the athletes, coaches, and support staff on their remarkable achievement.

“I am incredibly proud of our athletes, who have shown remarkable perseverance and national spirit despite the freezing weather in Turin,” she said.

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2025