Saadi Abbas enters into top 10 in Karate1 Premier League

Saadi Abbas brought another honor for Pakistan as he becomes the only South Asian to break into the top 10 rankings in World Karate Federation’s Karate-1 Premier League. Abbas was first South Asian who  won the Asian Karatedo Championship in 2011 and then won the US Open title in the -75 kg says he need government and Sponsors’ support to continue.

“Nobody is South Asian region got here because the Karate1 rankings are exclusive for the top 10 players in the world and only they can even register in it,” Abbas said.

Abbas in currently ranked 10 because of his performances in past three event, two in Europe and one I Dubai but he missed 1 event in Morocco due to lack of funds.

“I know I’ve got the talent. I have done it too many times and it is not enough. I could not go to Morocco because I had no resources to afford it. There is no one from our region in the Karate1 rankings, I am here, but I need support from the government and the people. I have three more of these events left and if I skip those my ranking would drop.”

Abbas is ranked 43rd in the overall world rankings, which again is an achievement. He also lost his rankings because he skipped the Asian games and other tournaments as he lacked the resources.

“I’ve tried everything I can but it’s very hard for me to qualify on country quota because other Asian countries like Japan, China and Korea are tough. I want to be outstanding in this, but I need support, he concluded.