BISHKEK: Pakistan athletes clinched three medals on their debut participation in the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Championship 2021 held in Kyrgyzstan.

Pakistani MMA athletes Shahzaib Khan claimed gold, Liaqat Ali received silver medal and Allah Gul got a bronze medal. It was for the first time when Pakistan attended the championship.

Khan qualified for the final by defeating the Indian fighter in the semi-final. He defeated the Kyrgyz fighter within a minute in the final match and set a new record by clinching a gold medal.

Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts Federation (PMMAF) President Zulfiqar Ali has congratulated the players for making the nation proud in the Asian Championship.

“The PMMAF will continue its path to success and will try hard to ensure maximum participation in all events in future. The World MMA Championship 2021 is expected to be held in December this year. The MMA community in Pakistan has also extended their warm greetings on this achievement of the players,” he added.

It is relevant to mention here that the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Championship started in Kyrgyzstan from August 24 and concluded on August 28.

The mixed martial arts athletes were selected from different cities of Pakistan including Allah Gul Afridi from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Liaquat Ali from Balochistan, Asim Khan, Shayan Amin and Shahazab Khan from Sindh. Shariq Ali was manager-cum-coach of the team.

This is the first time Pakistan has participated in the Asian Championship. Although the team was supposed to attend in full strength, the national federation sent a six-member squad due to lack of funds.