Gul-Zeb progresses while Mehmood disappoints in Olympic Boxing Qualifiers

Pakistan’s experienced boxer Mehmood-ul-Hasan failed to live up to his billing as he lost to China’s Tuoheta Erbieke Tanglatihan in the 75 kilogram preliminaries of the Asia and Oceania Qualifying round for 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Jordan.

Today (Wednesday), Pakistan’s Mohammad Asif will by up against Indonesia’s Suguro Aldoms in the men’s flyweight (52 kg) preliminaries where as many as 20 pugilists are featuring in the category.

In welterweight (69kg), Pakistan’s Gul Zeb managed to sneak into the second round after getting a bye in the first round. He will face China’s Maimaititu Ersun Qiong in the pre-quarter-final on March 6.

Because of lack of resources, Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) was able to field only three boxers in the qualifiers. The government did not offer financial support to the national fighters for this important assignment. So far not a single athlete has been backed by the state for Olympics qualification. National boxers underwent a couple of months training at the Army Sports Complex, Rawalpindi, with the PBF bearing all the expenses.

Pakistani boxers will have another chance of qualifying for Olympics when they appear in the World Qualifying round to be held in Paris from May 13 to 20 at the Grand Dome, Villebon-sur-Yvette. It will be open only to those athletes who will not have not qualified by then. 

Pakistan is looking to feature in the Olympics for the first time since Athens in 2004.