Sinan Ahmed clinches silver medal in Belgium Open Taekwondo Championship 2019

Sinan Ashfaq Ahmed seems to be unstoppable in adding to his medal collection while he represents Pakistan in several international events as he won another medal and made the country proud this time by claiming silver medal in Belgium Open Taekwondo Championship 2019. 

Sinan participated in the 65 KG weight category in Cadets where it was a highly tough competition as top players from around the world were gathered in huge numbers and all were highly trained and professionals.

The champion said,“I am the first Pakistani to have won a silver medal in Europe. I won all my fights till the semifinals, where I was beaten by Russian number 1 junior athlete Pavel Mironov." 

Both fighters gave their best till it was 6-6 in the normal rounds and then the referees declared the golden time for both the players. The match remained tied at 6-6. Sinan had better record of shots at chest and it was almost 70 percent in his favor. After the golden time, the referees decided the semifinal in his favor as expected, on better strike-rate and far better attempts but before his final against Polish Wiktor he suffered serve pain to which the referees asked him not to fight the final due to his condition but Pakistan's talent insisted to play.

To which the UAE based Pakistani taekwondo fighter said,"I was sure about winning gold medal and in the first round, I was leading 2-0 in just 6 seconds. But then severe pain denied me of gold medal.”

He said he is satisfied with his performances and looking forward to represent Pakistan in the World Cadet Championship being held in Uzbekistan. “It will be a great event for me, as I have been selected to represent Pakistan at more than five events this year and I have won medals in every outing. I am also planning to represent my country in Asian Games, World Cup and Olympics.” 

Sinan also thanked Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTWF), President Lt Col (R) Raja Waseem Ahmed Janjua for giving him chance to play for Pakistan. He also said the Pakistan government should also encourage and support individual sports as they are the one who can win medals for their country.

“Currently, there is no financial support for athletes in terms of bearing expenses for travel and lodging and my father has to spend this money from his pocket. If government will support promising athletes like me, Pakistan will keep on winning medals in international events.”

The Dubai based Pakistani taekwondo star, Sinan Ashfaq Ahmed won his first bronze medal for Pakistan at the President World Taekwondo Championship held in Tashkent in August 2017 just at the age of 12 years. The taekwondo journey of Sinan began at the age of only 6 years, when he started playing the combat sport for fitness but later developed his skills and became a professional athlete. Also, he recently won gold medal for Pakistan team in Fujairah last month, while won another gold medal in UAE Open National Taekwondo Championship this month and a gold in the same event in 2017. Now he holds another silver medal.