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COLOMBO, Aug 22: Pakistani weightlifters continued with their impressive gold-spree in the 10th South Asia Games by winning two more medals to wrap up the event on a fine note on Tuesday.
The dream run of the lifters saw Pakistan win six gold medals and two silver medals to re-establish its place as the Asian super power of weightlifting in the region.
Sajjad Amin gave his team a fifth gold in the 105kgs category while Rizwanullah Khan also excelled in 115 kgs category to bag the sixth gold for Pakistan.
Sajjad's extraordinary lifting abilities put him in front and other competitors failed to match his total of325kgs (150 kgs and 175 kgs) in snatch and jerk.
“It is a golden moment of my life and I feel very happy to win a South Asia Games gold,” said a delighted Sajjad.
Rizwan was also impressive, lifting a total weight of 275 kgs, 116 in snatch and 141kgs in jerk to clinch gold. Bangladesh took the silver through M Firoz Mahmood (250kgs)while Sri Lanka’s M Irshad got the bronze (235kgs).
Pakistan win in hockey
Pakistan beat Bangladesh 5-2 in their second match of hockey tournament at Matale, about 115 kilo-metres from Colombo.
It was a morale boosting win for Pakistan after their 2-0 loss to India. The green shirts will now play Sri Lanka in their last league match on Wednesday.
However, the fact that minnows Bangladesh managed to score two goals against an experienced side comprising former internationals is an alarming sign and for Pakistan. Pakistan were without their captain and defender Aamir who is nursing a keen injury. Zakirullah led the team in his absence.
Pakistan team opened the account when Sajjad Anwar converted a penalty stroke in the 5th minute to give his side a 1-0 lead at the break.
Bangladesh went into the second session with greater zeal and gave a big jolt to their much fancied rival when Muhamud Jimmy scored off a penalty corner as the second half commenced.
Pakistan’s Shabbir Khan slammed in two consecutive goals in the 48th and 56th minutes.
Mudassar Khan scored the fourth goal of the team in the 57th minute and five minutes later Zakirullah completed the tally.
A struggling Bangladesh surprised Pakistan team by scoring their second goal when Ariful Haq found the net, dodging past a couple of defenders and then smartly putting the ball into the post before goalkeeper Muhammad Iqbal could move forward.
SWIMMERS WIN 6 MEDALS
Pakistan swimmers put up their best performance on the fourth day of the swimming competition by winning one silver and five bronze medals at Sugathadasa Sports Complex pool.
Pakistan now has 4 silver and 12 bronze in the competition. India maintained its strong hold by winning seven gold medals out of the eight at stake while the hosts won one event.
Pakistans silver medal winner was Nisar Ahmad while young Kiran Khan grabbed two bronze medals and Mahboob Ali, Nasir Ali and the women team clinched one bronze each.
In the men 400m individual medley, Nisar Ahmad returned a timing of (2.16.26) to bag the silver medal while India’s Rehan Poncha timed (2.11.20) for the gold. Rubel Rana of Bangladesh claimed the bronze (2.16.62).
Kiran underlined her talent by taking a bronze in the 200m back stroke (2.40.49) as Indian swimmers Fariha Zaman got the gold (2.31.49) and Madhavi Giri pocketed the silver with a timing of (2.32.45).
In women 400m free style Kiran clocked (4.54.66) for a bronze as India took the gold and silver through Kishipra Mahajan (4.40.72) and Pooja Alva (4.42.98).
Pakistan’s women swimming team of Rubab Raza, Sana Wahid, Ayesha Tajwar and Kiran Khan led their country to a bronze in the 800m free style relay receiving timings of (10.24.85). Indian team clocked (9.18.76) and Sri Lankan side timied ( 9.38.41) for the silver.
In 200m breast stroke Pakistans Mehrun Nisa was at fourth place (3.00.92) as Sri Lankan Mayumi Raheem ,Indias Tejaswini Varadaraju and Bangladesh Dli Akthaer won the gold, silver and bronze finishing with respective timings of (2.45.24), (2.46.72), (2.58.17).
Mehboob clocked (17.48.31) in the 1500m free style for the bronze before
Nasir Ali clinched bronze in the 200m butterfly with a timing of (2.12.97) before Indais two swimmers occupied the gold and silver medal place, Arjun Muralidharan (2.05.06) and Rehan Poncha (2.07.33).
Pakistani swimmer Adil Baig finished fourth in the 100m free style which was won by Indias Virdhaval Khade (52.71), Sri Lankan Daniel Lee got the silver (55.57), Bangladesh Rezaul bronze (55.83).
FIVE GOLDS FOR BOXERS
Pakistani boxers displayed their might by winning five gold medals out of six bouts held here on Tuesday night at Sagathadasa Stadium.
Noman Karim, Abid Baloch, Meharullah, Syed Asghar Ali and Faisal Karim punched their way to gold medals by winning their respective bouts. Results: (51kgs) Noman Karim (Pak) beat Sri Lankan Harsha Kumara on points 6-3; (54kgs) Abid Baloch (Pak) scored a narrow one point win over Akhil Kumar of India 6-5; (57kgs) Meharullah Lasi (Pak) bt Anthresh Lalit (India) on points by 26-6; (60kgs) Syed Asghar Ali (Pak) bt Indian Jai Bhagwan on points; 6-2 (64kgs) Faisal Karim (Pak) bt Sushil Ghimire on points by 21-3.—APP
