Pakistan eye taekwondo glory at world and Olympic level after Asian Open success

The Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF) is aiming for success at the World Championship and the Olympics, driven by progress under the guidance of Iranian coach Yousef Karami and Korean coach Seongoh Choi.

PTF President Col. Wasim highlighted this ambition in an interview with Nukta, stating, "Our main focus now is to secure a medal at the World Championship and then at the Olympics."

Despite achieving medals at the Asian Championship, Asian Open, and G-1 and G-2 events, Pakistan have yet to earn a medal at the World Championship, where their current best result is reaching the quarterfinals.

President of the Pakistan Taekwondo Federation, Lt. Col. Raja Waseem Ahmed, and General Secretary Murtaza Hassan Bangash, at the ATU General Assembly meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam.Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF)

“We are focusing on the 2025 World Championship in China as a major target,” Wasim added.

PTF’s long-term strategy

The PTF has laid out a structured four-year plan leading up to the 2028 LA Olympics to enhance the athletes’ skills and rankings. Part of the strategy involves competing in international tournaments to improve the athletes' world rankings.

Wasim explained, "The current world rankings will reset at the end of this year, and a new cycle will start in January 2025. When our fighters start competing in this cycle, they will earn points for their performances. And if any of our fighter comes to the limelight then we will field him or her in the Grand Prix which will give our fighters global status and Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) will also oversee their progression. And we will then focus on them for the Olympics 2028,” Wasim said.

He also expressed confidence that the federation's efforts would soon result in Pakistan's inclusion in the Olympics.

Shahzaib Khan with his coach Yousef Karami after winning gold at the Asian Open Taekwondo Championship, 2024.Instagram/shahzaibkhantkd

Wasim praised the contributions of both foreign coaches, saying that Iranian coach Yousef Karami (Kyorugi) and Korean coach Seongoh Choi (Poomsae) have played crucial roles in developing the athletes they are training.

Improved performances at international level

At the Asian Open Taekwondo Championship in Indonesia a few days ago, Pakistan’s national team secured three gold medals, three silver, and two bronze.

Under the leadership of coach Yousef Karami, the team feels more comfortable on the international stage. Gold medals were won by Shahzaib Khan, Haroon Khan, and Manisha Ali, while silver medals went to Ihtisham-ul-Haq, Abubakar Siddique, and Hamza Omar. Bronze medals were claimed by Maliha Ali and Mazhar Abbas.

Ikhtisham ul Haq claimed the silver medal in the Male -87 kg category, while Mailha Ali earned the bronze in the Women’s -73 kg category at the Asian Open Taekwondo Championship, 2024.Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF)

Reflecting on the team’s performance in Indonesia, Wasim said, "I expected this result. I was confident Shahzaib would win gold, and he did. We had not sent Haroon Khan for a few events in order to make him realize that he needs to work hard on himself. Although Hamza missed out on gold, I believe he should have won it. Mazhar also should have won gold. Whereas, Abubakar, Nouman, and Saud all showed great promise."

Plan for near future

Looking ahead, Wasim plans to field a couple of fighters in the World Poomsae Championship in Hong Kong next month.

“We now plan to send one male and one female fighter to Hong Kong for the World Championship. If South Asian Games are held, then it will also help in preparation for future events. We had sent two boys to Korea for poomsae training and they are returning today,” Wasim said.

Furthermore, the PTF aims to participate in the first-ever Virtual World Taekwondo Championship, set to take place in Singapore next month. This event was announced by World Taekwondo eight months ago.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) last year in Mumbai revealed plans for the Olympic Esports Games, and World Taekwondo is part of the new IOC Esports Commission.