ISLAMABAD: Pakis­tan’s Ikhtisham-ul-Haq defeated Michael Rodriguez in the Kyorugi -87kg event final of the fifth Asian Taekwondo Open Championship here at the Liaquat Gymnasium of the Pakistan Sports Complex on Friday.

Ikhtisham defeated his opponent, 13th in world rankings, 2-0.

Uzbekistan’s Najmiddin Kosimkhojiev defeated Afghanistan’s Omid Sahak in the men’s -74kg category final. Jordan’s Muhammad Othman secured bronze and Mahmood Khan of Pakistan won the fourth position.

Kazakhstan’s Nurbul Yersaiynov won bronze while Mohammad Adnan of Pakistan got fourth position in the Kyorugi -87 category.

Competitions in six weight categories of Kyorugi were held on Friday.

In the men’s -68kg final, Leon Glasnovic of Croatia defeated Afghanistan’s Zain Hikmatullah. Bexultan Mussa Khan of Kazakhstan won bronze while Elder Birimbay of Kazakhstan claimed the fourth spot.

Indonesia’s Ni Kadek Heni clinched gold in the women’s -49kg category defeating Nepal’s Anjali Tamang in the final. Afghanistan’s Zarghana Noori won bronze and Pakistan’s Sheeza Jawad ended fourth.

In the women’s -57kg final, Mariya Sevos­tyanova of Kazakhstan beat Noor Rehman of Pakistan. Sabira Bibi of Pakistan obtained bronze and Kazakhstan’s AraLiym came fourth.

Lauren Williams of Great Britain defeated compatriot Emily Sutherland in the women’s -73kg decider. Pakistan’s Bushra Zuberi won bronze while Kazakhstan’s Diana Absenova gained fourth position.

Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2023