Mahoor Shahzad, Pakistan’s National Badminton Champion, has been selected to represent Pakistan in Tokyo Olympics.
She shared the news with her followers on her social media platform. She expressed her delight in getting the opportunity to represent Pakistan globally. In a tweet, she said, “A dream has certainly come to true” Alhumdulillah, I have been selected for Tokyo Olympics 2020. This is a great accomplishment for Pakistan as I am the first Pakistani Badminton player to qualify for the Olympics. I am really thankful to all of you for your prayers and support.”
Pakistan Olympic Association and Pakistan Badminton Federation felicitated her and wished her good luck for the international sporting event.
“A dream has certainly come true”
Alhumdulillah, I have been selected for Tokyo Olympics 2020. This is a great accomplishment for Pakistan as I am the first Pakistani Badminton player to qualify for Olympics. I am really thankful to all of you for your prayers and support. pic.twitter.com/S45RYoQoRd
— Mahoor Shahzad (@OfficialMahoor) June 2, 2021
The members of the association and federation said that Mahoor has the distinction of being the top national badminton player and currently stands at 133rd spot in the rankings of top women players in the world.
Moreover, this is the first time a Pakistani woman has been given an invitation place in the Olympics due to her international rankings and performance.
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Mahoor believes that she would have been in the top 100 badminton players internationally if she had participated in the events last year, however, she was not able to do so due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier this year, Mahoor Shahzad had said that she was eyeing the 100th world ranking to get qualified for the Olympics 2021.
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During her interview with The Nation, she said that “I have been working very hard to improve my international rankings and for this, I am keen to take part in a maximum number of international events, which will help me come closer to my target, which is representing my country in the coming Olympics to be held in Tokyo, Japan this year.”
In February, she defended her title in the 58th National Badminton Championship and became the National Badminton Champion for a fifth consecutive year.