KARACHI, June 27: The successful Pakistan boxing squad returned home from Malaysia Wednesday after participating in 21st Asian Boxing Championship. Pakistan captured two gold and one bronze medals, besides Asian featherweight champion Hyder Ali declared the best boxer of the meet.

While talking to PPI, the 29 years old Shukat Ali who became the heavyweight champion in 21st Asian Boxing Championship after defeating Iranian Rohullah Hussani in the final of the championship on points was delighted on his performance and vowed he will try his best to continue getting gold medals for Pakistan as Asian Games is the prime target scheduled in South Korea , Posan, from 31st Sepr to 15th Oct, 2002.

Shaukat has gained fourth successive gold medal in heavyweight class of four consecutaive international boxing tournaments. He got the Gold medals in 2001, King’s Cup international Boxing tournament, Green Hill international Boxing tournament and 2002 King’s Cup Boxing tournament. He was also the gold medallist of last SAF games, held in Kathmandu, Nepal in 1999.

He said this year forthcoming Commonwealth Games scheduled in Manchester from 25th July to 4 August, 2002, and Asian Games 2002 are the major events and he will do hard work to grab gold medals for Pakistan, he said.

Hyder Ali who was also the last SAF Gold medallist performed well throughout in recently concluded 21st Asian Boxing Championship and declared the best boxer of the championship.

He defeated Thailand’s boxer Supi Thisak on points in the final of featherweight class. He said Pakistan ‘s boxers always proved their strength and skill despite lack of facilities which showed that how much talent of boxing exist in the country.

He said that the forthcoming Asian Games will be the next assignment for Pakistani pugilists and after getting boost up from recently concluded Asian Boxing Championship, they will perform well inshallah and get laurels for their country, he said.

Overall Pakistan boxing squad snatched two gold and one bronze medals as Asghar Ali Shah in bantamweight reached semifinal, then lost against Uzbakistan’s boxer on points. Ahmed Ali in middleweight lost in the quarterfinals.—PPI