Pakistani twin sisters, Manisha Ali and Maliha Ali, made history at the 6th Asian Open Kyorugi Taekwondo Championship held in Indonesia, bringing home gold and bronze medals. The remarkable achievement not only made Pakistan proud but also highlighted the growing talent in the country’s martial arts scene.
Dominating the Championship
The championship, held from October 14 to 17 at the Indore Stadium Sports Center in Tangerang, Indonesia, saw over 275 athletes from across Asia. Participants came from countries including India, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Malaysia, Nepal, and host Indonesia. Pakistan’s 16-member taekwondo squad, led by Lieutenant Colonel Zeeshan Aslam, delivered an exceptional performance, bringing home a total of eight medals: three gold, three silver, and two bronze.
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In the women’s +73kg category, Manisha Ali, a student at Lahore Garrison University, secured the gold medal, defeating Indonesia’s Parmata Sri with scores of 4-1 and 8-2. Her twin sister, Maliha Ali, competing in the same weight category, won the bronze medal, further demonstrating the sisters’ prowess on the mat.
Team Pakistan’s Historic Feat
Pakistan’s success at the championship wasn’t limited to the Ali sisters. Haroon Khan clinched a gold medal in the men’s -58kg category after a thrilling match against compatriot Abubakar Siddique, winning 6-4 and 9-7. Other gold medalists included Shahzaib in the -54kg category. The team also secured three silver medals, with Abubakar (-58 kg), Ikhtasham Ul Haq (-87 kg), and Hamza Omer Saeed (+87 kg) putting up strong performances. Mazhar Abbas (-80 kg) earned a bronze medal alongside Maliha Ali.
The impressive haul of medals earned Pakistan the title of “Best Team” at the championship, surpassing Kazakhstan and Malaysia, which finished second and third, respectively. Shahzaib was named “Best Athlete” of the championship for his outstanding performance, while Head Coach Yousef Karami was awarded the title of “Best Coach.”
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Lt Col (r) Raja Wasim Ahmed, President of the Pakistan Taekwondo Federation, praised the athletes for their dedication and hard work, stating, “There is no dearth of talent among Pakistani athletes. We should support and encourage them to bring pride to our country.” This championship marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s sports history, with the country emerging as a top contender in Asian taekwondo.