Boxing the way to another medal

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• karachi Critics of a controversial decision to dispense with headguards in amateur boxing were given more ammunition yesterday when Pakistan’s Muhammad Waseem claimed an Asian Games medal just seconds into his quarter-final.
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• Flyweight Waseem and Azat Usenaliev accidentally clashed heads moments after the starting bell with the Krygyzstan boxer suffering a nasty gash above his eye.
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• Unable to continue, the referee had no option but to stop the fight with just 28 seconds gone and awarded Waseem the win on technical knockout.
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• Waseem advances to the semi-finals where he will face Uzbekistan’s Shakhobidin Zoirov and is thus guaranteed at least a bronze medal.
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• The International Amateur Boxing Association discarded headguards last year in a bid to align more closely with the professional game.
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• Several fights in Incheon have had to be stopped for cuts caused by accidental head clashes, which were rare with headguards.
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• According to Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Director Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera, most of the spectators were rooting for Waseem.
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• “The crowd was cheering for Waseem,” Ganjera told The Express Tribune. “I’m quite confident that he can win his next bout for a silver medal as well.
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• “We have faith in his ability and hope he will make Pakistan proud.”
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• Ganjera added that another Pakistan pugilist Sanaullah will compete at the quarter-final of the 91kg event today and has a good chance of progressing to the semi-finals.
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• Hockey
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• The Greenshirts will be up against Malaysia in the men’s hockey semi-final at the Asian Games today, and according to Ganjera, Pakistan are favourites to win.
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• “The team is motivated and so far in the tournament, Pakistan have performed better than Malaysia,” said Ganjera. “It’s going to be a thrilling match, and we’re hoping for an eventual gold medal in hockey.”
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• Kabaddi
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• Pakistan defeated Bangladesh 24-11 in the Group A match of the men’s kabaddi event.
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• “Even though we are coming back to this event after a long break, we should win silver in kabaddi” said Ganjera.
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• Wrestling
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• Wrestler Muhammad Asad Butt lost his bronze medal fight in the 74kg event to South Korea’s Sangkyu Lee 3-1 and Muhammad Iman lost the 86kg quarter-final 4-1 to Kazakhstan’s Yesbolat Nurzhumbayev.
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• Meanwhile, Pakistan men’s volleyball team defeated Myanmar 3-0 in a Group H play-off, while India outclassed Pakistan 3-0 in table tennis. Pakistan also lost to Thailand in mixed doubles 3-0, whereas Muhammad Rameez received a bye in the round of 64 of the men’s singles event.
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• In shooting, Khurram Inam finished 21st out of 39 participants in the men’s skeet qualifying round.