DHAKA, Feb 8 Pakistan's Niamatullah clinched the lightfly gold medal by beating his Bhutanese opponent Sigyel on points in the final of 11th South Asian Games at Muhammad Ali Boxing Stadium on Monday.
The 20-year-old from Quetta, Naimat displayed superb technique and punching power to grab the gold. He dominated the bout throughout the three rounds to emerge a clear winner.
Naimatullah, who won the silver medal in the inaugural Shaheed Benazir International last month in Karachi, won his first major event by winning the 8-nation regional competition.
However, his countryman and team leader Muhammad Waseem had to contend with a silver after out pointed by his Indian opponent and Asian Champion Suranjoy Singh in 51 kg flyweight class.
The continental champion Suranjoy landed some hard blows on the face and body of Waseem, scoring points consistently. Waseem, with reasonable experience behind him, counter-attacked well but failed to match his rival.
As expected fist-fighting produced heartening results for the host nation Bangladesh as they won two gold medals through Muhammad Jewel in 57 kg and Muhammad Abdul Rhim 64 kg category. However, the Indians finished on the top with three gold.—APP
