ISLAMABAD: A nine-member squad from Pakistan will participate in the 2011 Commonwealth Wrestling Championships to be held in Melbourne, Australia early next month.
An official of the Pakistan Wrestling Federation (PWF) said on Monday all of its seven wrestlers were in good shape and were likely to clinch a few medals in the three-day Commonwealth event, to be held from Aug 5 to 7.
“The wrestling team comprises two medallists of the last Commonwealth Games, so we hope to create a stir at the championship,” national coach Sohail Rashid told Dawn.
Wrestler Azhar Hussain claimed a gold medal in the 55kg category ending Pakistan’s 40-year drought in the Commonwealth Games in India last year. Mohammad Inam, another wrestler, also won a gold for Pakistan in the 84kg class at the Games.
It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan, prior to last year’s Delhi Games, had not won a wrestling title at the Commonwealth Games after securing four golds at the 1970 Games in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Rashid said the wrestlers were undergoing strenuous training sessions at the Pakistan Sports Board complex.
“Our wrestlers have been training on modern lines for the last couple of months,” he stated.
Sohail noted that the Pakistani wrestlers had a good track record for the Commonwealth championship event.
“Our wrestlers grabbed three bronze medals in the 12th Commonwealth Wrestling Championship staged in Jalandhar, India two years ago,” the coach recalled.
However, Sohail expected a demanding contest in Melbourne. “We are likely to face tough competition from Australia, South Africa, Canada, England and arch-rivals India.”
The coach said the wrestlers along with two officials would leave for Melbourne on Aug 2.
“We are yet to get the visas to proceed to Australia because they are being processed by them [Australian High Commission],” added the coach. Meanwhile, Azhar sounded confident about Pakistan’s chances in Melbourne.
“Insha Allah we will win. The only target is the Commonwealth Wrestling Championship,” stressed Azhar, adding all his efforts were aimed at clinching a position at the Melbourne event.
Squad:
Wrestlers: Azhar Hussain (55kg), Goga (50kg), Mohammad Suleman (66kg), Mohammad Ali (74kg), Mohammad Inam (84kg), Shahid Usman (96kg), Mohammad Usman (120kg). Officials: Sohail Rasheed (coach); Khalid Hussain (manager).
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