Pakistan Boxer Sumama Rahman Exits Asian Games in First Round

Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail

Pakistan’s Sumama Rahman was eliminated in the opening round of the boxing competition at the 20th Asian Games after losing to Tajikistan’s Miraj Sufijonov in the 55kg preliminary bout.

The Lahore-born boxer was beaten 5-0 by Sufijonov at the Nishio Gymnasium on Tuesday.

Pakistan boxing coach Tariq Siddiqui said Sumama had the ability to perform better but was unable to produce his best performance during the contest.

The defeat marked Pakistan’s first boxing bout at the Asian Games event in Japan.

Pakistan will continue its campaign with more boxers scheduled to enter the ring in the coming days. Maria Rind is due to face a Mongolian opponent on Thursday.

On September 26, Irfan Khan is scheduled to compete against South Korea’s Gichae Kim in the 90kg preliminary round. Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Fatima Zehra will also compete on the same day against Tajikistan’s Mijgona Samadova in the 60kg category.

Pakistan has entered four boxers in the continental competition, with two male and two female athletes representing the country.

In wushu, Pakistan’s Aminullah was defeated by Vietnam’s Tam Van Donh in the 56kg quarter-finals.

Saddam Hussain and Zaib Hasnain have also been eliminated from their respective competitions.