Quetta-based pugilist defeats Sudan’s Mohamed Othman in 55 kg quarterfinal, secures bronze medal
Qudratullah confirmed second Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 bronze medal for Pakistan, he poses with his coach Nisar Khan after the quarterfinal bout. PHOTO COURTESY: PBF
KARACHI:
Boxer Qudratullah secured the second medal for Pakistan at the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday afternoon.
He outclassed Sudan’s Yousif Hassa Abdulaziz Mohamed Othman in the 55 kg quarterfinal at The Promenade, Art Tower in a one-sided bout.
“We are so glad that our boy has won, ” Qudratullah’s coach, Nisar Khan Lahori, told The Express Tribune right after the bout. “His opponent got a medical injury.
“His bout stopped because Othman started to bleed, and the bleeding would not stop.”
Boxer Qudratullah in action against his Sudanese opponent at the Islamic Solidarity Games 55 kg quarterfinal bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. PHOTO COURTRESY: PBF
“I believe the next bout for him will be very tough as well. Qudrat will have a tough time in his next bout.”
With the win, the 20-year-old also secured at least a bronze medal for Pakistan at the Games by virtue of qualifying for the semifinal, which he will play against Egypt’s Amir Mohamed Farag Ahmed Kelany on Sunday, November 9.
“It is a stunning result. He is from Quetta, and he is the national champion in 55 kg. he represented Pakistan in China, previously.” The Pakistan Boxing Federation Secretary, Major Irfan Younis, shared details about Qudratullah, who hails from the Pashtunabad locality in Quetta.
“He is coming from a humble background and has been with us in the Army department, and has been groomed by the department.”
“This also means that we have our second bronze medal guaranteed.”
Qudratullah faced a close fight from Othman in the first round, although the panel of five judges unanimously gave him 10 points compared to Othman’s nine points.
The second round saw Qudrat be more dominant than the first, as he was again favoured by judges with 10 points each, and Othman received eight from three judges and nine from two.
This was also the time that Othman started to show signs of injury, and he forfeited the fight.
Boxer Qudratullah and coach Nisar Khan after the quarterfinal bout at Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 in Riyadh. PHOTO COURTRESY: PBF
Qudrat is the second Pakistani boxer to advance into the semifinals. Earlier, Fatima Zahra also won her 60 KG women’s quarterfinal on November 6.
Fatima’s semifinal is scheduled for Sunday.
“We are seeing some very good boxers from Uzbekistan, and as a coach, it is my wish that Fatima wins her next bout. But if she were to win it, it would be after a very challenging fight,” explained Nisar.
The Pakistan Boxing Federation sent four pugilists, including three women and one man, to compete in Riyadh.
“Both our boxers are very excited and happy that they have been able to produce performances that have guaranteed medals for them.
“This is Fatima and Qudrat’s first international medals after representing Pakistan at international events previously, so they are very grateful and have high spirits,” said Nisar.
They trained at the Pakistan Army facilities for three months before the event.
“I am very happy for my boxers, and I am praying that they both reach the finals of their weight class,” said Nisar.
Also read: Boxer Fatima Zahra confirms Pakistan’s first medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025
On Saturday, Pakistani swimmers Mishael Aisha and Jehanara Nabi also competed in the Women’s 50m Butterfly heat.
Pakistan’s representative at the Paris Olympics, Jehanara, finished last in her heat, while she was second last in her heat among six swimmers.
Syed Mohammed Daniyal Hatim competed in the men’s 50m Butterfly heat and finished in second last place out of eight swimmers. He was sixth out of eight swimmers in the Men’s 50m Freestyle heat, while Aryan Rehman Khawar was seventh in the same heat.
The swimmers also competed in the mixed 4 x 100 Freestyle Relay and finished third in their heat among five countries in the morning session.
Pakistan’s table tennis women’s team is also scheduled to play Uganda in their event on Saturday evening.
