TANGERANG (Indonesia): Pakistan’s taekwondo team secured a historic triumph at the sixth Asian Open Taekwondo Championship, claiming the championship title with an impressive haul of three gold, three silver and two bronze medals on Thursday.

On the final day of the three-day event, Pakistan’s Haroon Khan won the gold medal in the -58kg category, defeating compatriot Abubakar Siddique 6-4 and 9-7.

Manisha Ali also secured gold in the women’s +73kg category, beating Indonesia’s Parmata Sri 4-1 and 8-2.

Shahzaib Khan, who won gold in the -54kg category on Wedneday, was awarded the best athlete award for scoring the most points.

Master Yousuf Karami was recognised as the best coach, while Pakistan was declared the best team by the Asian Taekwondo Union, surpassing Kazakhstan and Malaysia.

In the championship’s earlier events, Ikhtasham ul Haq (-87kg) and Hamza Omar Saeed (+87kg) secured silver for the national team while Mazhar Abbas (-80kg) and Maliha Ali (-73kg) claimed bronze.

This achievement marks the first time Pakistani male and female athletes have accomplished this milestone at an international taekwondo event.

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2024