Awantipora, May 14: The players from Pulwama have achieved great success at the 2nd World Mixed Boxing Championship, winning a total of 22 medals across a variety of categories. These athletes, who represented India in the competition, were trained by the Martial Arts Academy Pampore.
According to Sajad Ahmad Bhat, the chief coach of the academy, the players won 12 gold, eight silver, and two bronze medals. Out of the 34 players from Kashmir who participated in the championship, 22 were trained by the academy.
Bhat praised the hard work and dedication of the players, saying that their performances speak volumes about the effort they put in to make a mark on the international stage. The three-day event, held at the Shar e Kashmir Indoor Sports Complex in Srinagar, attracted participants from countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Cote d’Ivoire, and Jordan.
India emerged as the top nation on the medal tally, followed by Sri Lanka and Nepal.
Shah Younis, a 23-year-old martial arts player from Pampore who fought in the under 80 kg category, won a gold medal. This was his second gold at an international level, having previously won at the South Asian Thai Boxing Championship. Younis defeated opponents from Sri Lanka and Nepal to claim his victory. He also has 14 medals in different games under mixed martial arts at the national level.
Younis credited his coach, Sajad Ahmad Bhat, for his success, saying that participating in international events motivates players to put in extra effort and excel in their sport.
Sadaf Riyaz, a six-year-old from Zaffron colony Pampore, fought in the sub-junior category and won gold by defeating her opponent from Maharashtra. Riyaz regularly trains at the academy with coach Sajad.
Tajamul Naik, a 23-year-old from Beighpora village of Awantipora Tehsil, won silver in the 80 kg category. Naik has been playing the game since 2017 and believes that martial arts can improve physical fitness and help secure extra points in screening examinations for various government jobs. His goal is to represent India at the Olympics.
