Afghans finish 2nd in Bacha Khan Wrestling C’ship

KABUL’s northwestern city of Peshawar, an official said on Monday.

Afghanistan, just one point adrift of the hosts, finished runners-up in the event that concluded at the Qayyum Stadium late on Sunday, Olympic Committee spokesman Mujib-ur-Rahman Rahmani told Pajhwok Afghan News.

More than 10 players from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sari Lanka took part in the championship. Ahmad Mansoor and Noor Ahmad respectively defeated their Pakistani and Bangladeshi rivals and earned gold medals for Afghanistan.

Basharat clinched gold for Pakistan in the 60 kilograms category by defeating Afghanistan’s promising wrestler Kabir Rahimi. His compatriot Usman Majid won gold in the 96kg category by outplaying Wakil Hussain of Afghanistan.

In the 120kg weight category, Pakistan Champion Muhammad Zaman overpowered Hameed Khanzada of Afghanistan. Pakistani wrestlers scored 65 points, just one ahead of the Afghans, who won four silver medals and one bronze.

In the 84kg weight category, Pakistan’s Ghulam Hassan lost to Noor Ahmadi of Afghanistan. Hassan had earlier knocked out India’s Saibair Singh.

In the 66 kilograms category, Visal Singh of India clinched gold, while Afghanistan’s Baba Jan Ahmadi took the silver medal. Afghan players won gold medals in the 74 and 84 kilogram categories.

India remained third with 44 points, Sri Lanka fourth and Bangladesh fifth. Federal Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour awarded medals. Afghan Consul General in Peshawar Syed Muhammad Ebrahim Khail was also present on the occasion.

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