WAPDA wins, Balochistan women impress at National Karate Championship

LAHORE: WAPDA retained the crown at the 10th National Women Karate Championship which concluded at Nishtar Park Sports Complex Gymnasium at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Wednesday.

WAPDA won five gold medals, one silver and two bronze to defend their title with 155 points.

Balochistan, with 75 points, ended as the runner-up. They clinched two gold medals, three silver and one bronze.

Army (70 points) stood third with one gold, three silver and one bronze medal.

Three events of kumite were conducted on Wednesday. In minus 61kg Sana Kausar from Army won gold, Ayesha Amjad from Punjab picked silver while Fatima Furqan from Sindh and Nargis from WAPDA secured bronze medals.

In minus 55kg Mahnoor Tauheed from Punjab got gold, Naz Gul from WAPDA clinched silver, while the bronze medals went to Arfa Farshad from Sindh and Surayya from Railways.

In minus 50kg, Fatima from Balochistan got gold, Anusha Khan from Army secured silver, while Maheen Babar from FATA and Surayya from Railways claimed bronze medals.

In team kumite, WAPDA won gold, Army secured silver, while Punjab and Sindh claimed bronze medals.

‘Passionate and determined’

In an exclusive interview to Geo News, Balochistan women karate players talked about their determination to pursue their dreams despite the harsh circumstances they often face. They said they want to leave an indelible mark on Pakistan’s karate landscape.

“We are proud of our achievements. We can do anything,” one of the players said.

“We work harder than everyone else, because that’s how we got this far. We never give up,” another karate player added.