ASBC medallist Zohaib Rasheed will lead Team Pakistan in Hangzhou

The Pakistan Boxing Federation selected five boxers to the upcoming Asian Games which will be taking place in Hangzhou, China. The competition period of the Asian Games is between September 24 and October 5.

Pakistan earned 6 gold, 19 silver and 36 bronze medals in the boxing events of the Asian Games from 1954. Their last gold medallist was Lassi Meharullah in the Busan 2002 edition while their last medal was taken by Muhammad Waseem in the Incheon 2014 Asian Games. Their young national boxing team is aiming for their first medal after nine years of hiatus in Hangzhou, China.

Pakistan’s best male boxer, Navy’s Zohaib Rasheed was a historic medallist at the 2022 ASBC Asian U22 Boxing Championships and at the 2022 ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championships. The 23-year-old boxer earned Pakistan’s first Asian medals after 16 years of break and he moved up to the flyweight (51kg) to represent the country at the Asian Games. He is a tall boxer in the weight class and the most experienced in the male national team to get a medal in the Asian Games.

An Army boxer, Muhammad Qasim turned 22 only this year and he won the annual National Championships and the National Games. Following his national achievements, he has been selected to compete for Pakistan for the very first time in Hangzhou.

Army’s Muhammad Ibrahim was bronze medallist at the 2019 National Games which he switched into gold in the new 2023 edition. He was unbeaten in the recent national competitions and the 29-year-old boxer will get the chance to keep Pakistan’s flag high at the light welterweight (63.5kg).

Mehmood Sanaullah represented Pakistan at the 2014 Asian Games where he reached the quarter-finals and lost to only a local boxer for the medal. The 30-year-old heavyweight (92kg) boxer will be boxing in his second Asian Games following his several national successes and participation at the ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championships.

Pakistan selected one female boxer to the Asian Games, the Army talent Fatima Zahra will be competing at the featherweight (57kg) in Hangzhou. She won all of her previous national competitions in this weight class and she will make her international debut at the Games.

The World Boxing Championships participant Mohib Ullah (63.5kg), veteran Tanveer Ahmed (80kg) and the Military World Boxing Championships competitor Bilawal Zia (80kg) are the reserves of the national team and they have still chance to compete in Hangzhou.

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