LAHORE: Pakistani wrestler Muhammad Inam won a gold medal in the 5th Asian Beach Games in Danang, Vietnam on Sunday. He defeated an Iranian wrestler 3-0 in the 90kg weight category contest. Pakistan have now added two gold, three silver and five bronze medals to their tally in the ongoing Asian Beach Games. Pakistan won their first gold medal after defeating archrivals India in kabbadi final last week. “Winning gold medal out of 76 participants from the whole of Asia is an honor for me and my country,” a jubilant Inam said. “Listening to national anthem after winning gold for my country was a memorable moment of my life and I thank my countrymen, coaches who encouraged me a lot,” Inam added. It may be recalled that Inam also won two bronze medals in the freestyle 80kg event at the 4th Asian Beach Games held in Phuket, Thailand.
Danang City of Vietnam is hosting the Beach Games wherein a total of 2253 athletes from all across Asia are taking part in 171 events and 22 sports. The Beach Games opened on September 24 and will conclude on October 3 (today). It is the second time for Vietnam to host an Asia level multi-sports event, after Hanoi held the Asian Indoor Games in 2009 and Southeast Asian Games in 2003. However, this is the first time that an event is not being organised in Hanoi. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has lauded the efforts of all the medal winners and commended the efforts of their respective managements and national federations.
“POA chief Lt Gen (r) Syed Arif Hasan has congratulated all the medal winners and is confident that Pakistan will secure more medals in future events,” said POA secretary general Muhammad Khalid Mahmood.