PESHAWAR - Pakistan won the overall trophy of the Bacha Khan International Peace Wrestling Championship by grabbing four gold medals, one silver and two bronze during the event concluded at the indoor hall of Pakistan Sports Board Coaching Centre Sunday.
Pakistan, took first gold medal in the 55kg through Commonwealth Game medallist Azhar Hussain who defeated Prince Arora of India while Basharat took gold in 60kg against Afghanistan’s promising wrestler Kabi Rahimi.
The third gold for Pakistan came in 96kg when Usman Majeed, the Rushtam-e-Pakistan, defeated Wakeel Hussain of Afghanistan in the medal fight while in the 120kg weight category M Zaman, the Champion of Pakistan, defeated Hameed Khanzada of Afghanistan to grab the gold medal.
Pakistan’s Ghulam Hasan was beaten by Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmadi in the 84kg final. Pakistan took bronze medal in 66kg where Indian Visal Sing took the gold medal and Afghanistan Baba Jan Ahmadi took silver medal. In the 74kg competition, Afghan wrestler took the gold medal and India grabbed silver. There was stunning performance from Afghanistan as they are trailing behind Pakistan on the second position with a slight difference of points with two gold and four silver medals and one bronze medal.
India remained at third with by taking one gold medal in the 66kg through Visal Singh, two silver medals and two bronze medals. The Sri Lankan wrestlers are on fourth spot with six bronze medals in 55kg, 60kg, 66kg, 74kg, 96kg, and 120kg while Bangladesh got fifth position with three bronze medals in 84kg, 96kg, and 120kg.
Federal Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour was the chief guest who gave away trophies, medals and cash prizes to the position holder teams, wrestlers and officials. Counsel General of Afghanistan to Peshawar Sayed M Ebrahim Khail, Provincial Minister for Sports and President Pakistan Wrestling Federation Syed Aqil Shah and a large number of cheering spectators were also present to witness the thrilling fights.