Pakistan added another medal to its tally at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh after wrestler Mohammad Gulzar delivered a gritty performance to secure bronze in the 97 kg category on Friday.
Gulzar earned the podium finish with a tight 5-4 win over Turkiye’s Rifat E. Gidak, securing the bout in the fall position to seal the result. Iran’s Amirali Azarpira dominated the final with a 5-0 win over Kazakhstan’s Rizabek Aitmukhan to take gold.
After the medal ceremony, Gulzar dedicated the achievement to Pakistan’s armed forces, saying his effort was driven by love for the country’s defenders and those who laid down their lives for the nation.
PWF president Arshad Sattar praised the medal, calling it a reward for the wrestlers’ hard work and a moment of pride for Pakistan.
It was, however, a mixed day for the rest of the wrestling contingent. Inayatullah fell short in the 74 kg category, losing to Bahrain’s Magomedrasul Asluev and missing out on the quarter-finals. Mohammad Abdullah also exited early, suffering a 10-0 defeat against Uzbekistan’s Umidjon Jalolov in the 65 kg round-of-16.
Mohammad Gulzar’s bronze takes Pakistan’s tally at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games to five medals. The haul includes Arshad Nadeem’s gold in javelin, a silver from Yasir Sultan in the same event, and two bronze medals from boxers Fatima Zahra and Qudratullah.
