Sinan Ashfaq wins another gold for Pakistan in UAE Open National Taekwondo Championship 2019
Pakistan's Sinan Ashfaq knocked out his Fujairah opponent in the very first round to win another gold medal for the country at Sharjah Taekwondo Club in Dubai.
Sinan Ashfaq was up against his Fujairah opponent named, Muhammad in the Cadet 65 KG weight category in which he, as expected, performed well enough and convincingly knocked out his opponent in the very first round to win yet the second gold medal for the country. Almost 200 athletes from Fujairah, Ajman, Rais Alkhema, Umulquin, Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi along with other athletes of different countries, who are residing in the UAE, took part in this championship.
Previously, Pakistan's young athletes performed exceptionally well by grabbing two Gold and three Bronze medals in which the very first one was bagged by Sinan Ashfaq as he gave Pakistan first gold medal by beating his Egyptian opponent Mohammed Aly in the 65 KG weight category U-14 final. Then it was the 8 year old from Swat, Ayesha Ayaz who debuted in an international event and got her first Bronze medal as in the semi-finals of the -27 KG weight category she could not beat host nation's Syeda Mariam, losing by 6-9 and had to settle for bronze medal.
While the other two taekwondo players to win medals were, Arif and Saad who both got bronze medals in -28 KG and -49 KG weight categories respectively.
To his achievement, the 13 year old Sinan said,“I am always thankful firstly to Almighty, then to my parents, especially my father, who is always at my side and also to Pakistan Taekwondo Federation President Lt Col (R) Wasim Ahmed Janjua for providing me with opportunities to represent Pakistan internationally. " He also revealed that he is leaving for Belgium on 16th of this month to take part in a G-2 event.
Sinan urged the Government and IPC Minister to help PTWF as the federation was doing wonders for Pakistani athletes. “For how long federation and our parents had to bear our expenses. We play for country’s pride and I feel government must lend helping hand as we possess immense talent and can beat any player if taken care of, provided facilities and international exposure.”
