Pakistan’s Judoka Shah Hussain out of Rio Olympics in first appearance

Published August 11, 2016
Artem Bloshenko of Ukraine and Hussain Shah of Pakistan compete. — Reuters
Artem Bloshenko of Ukraine and Hussain Shah of Pakistan compete. — Reuters

KARACHI: Judoka Shah Hussain became the third Pakistani to bow out of Rio Olympics in first appearance at the event.

After getting a bye in the first round, Hussain failed to impress and suffered defeat at the hands of Ukraine’s Artem Bloshenko in the second round of Men’s 100kg Judo event.

Hussain’s elimination has dented Pakistan’s hopes to secure a medal. He was a solid contender in Pakistan’s seven-member contingent to win a medal.

He had won a silver in 2016 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and bronze in 2014 Asian Games in South Korea. Hussain also won a gold in South Asian Games held in Shillong, India, in February this year.

Hussain, son of the medal-winning pugilist Hussain Shah, was the only athlete who sealed a place at the coveted multi-sports event under continental quota.

Artem Bloshenko of Ukraine and Hussain Shah of Pakistan compete. —Reuters
Artem Bloshenko of Ukraine and Hussain Shah of Pakistan compete. —Reuters

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) allows national Olympic committees of various countries with few or without any athletes to participate in the coveted sports events by offering wild cards to their athletes.

A player or a team that has not qualified through the normal competitive channel receives a wildcard entry. In Olympics too, wildcards are offered to countries, whose athletes fail to meet the qualification standards.

Earlier, shooter Minhal Sohail and swimmer Haris Bandey also failed to put up a good show and bowed out in initial rounds. It is the first time Pakistan’s national hockey team is not featuring in the mega event as it failed to qualify.

On Friday (August 12), Pakistani shooter Ghulam Mustafa Bashir will take part in Men’s 25m rapid fire pistol event and swimmer Lianna Swan will be seen in action in Women’s 50m freestyle. Athletes Mehboob Ali and Najma Parveen will also be featuring in athletics event.

Opinion

Editorial

Going dry
Updated 07 Apr, 2025

Going dry

Authorities should refrain from undertaking any water scheme that infringes on rights of any federating unit to avoid more controversies.
Afghan return
07 Apr, 2025

Afghan return

AS expected, the government of Pakistan is moving ahead with its plan to forcibly repatriate Afghan Citizenship Card...
Hurting women
07 Apr, 2025

Hurting women

MONTH after month, the figures of crimes against women in the country indicate that our society is close to...
Not cricket
Updated 06 Apr, 2025

Not cricket

It is high time that the PCB sets things right; even if it demands a complete overhaul of the system.
Balochistan deadlock
Updated 06 Apr, 2025

Balochistan deadlock

Akhtar Mengal’s demands to release women activists should seriously be considered.
Escalating brutality
Updated 06 Apr, 2025

Escalating brutality

The world’s patience is running out. Israel must be held accountable under international law for war crimes.