Pakistan’s Fatima Zahra makes history with first Commonwealth Games boxing medal

WEB DESK: Pakistan’s Fatima Zahra made history on Tuesday by becoming the country’s first female boxer to guarantee a medal at the Commonwealth Games after defeating New Zealand’s Jordan Wilson to reach the women’s 60kg semi-finals.

The 22-year-old secured a unanimous 5-0 victory in the quarter-finals, with all five judges scoring the bout in her favour. Under the tournament’s format, all losing semi-finalists receive bronze medals, ensuring Pakistan’s first-ever Commonwealth Games boxing medal in the women’s category.

Pakistan’s women’s boxing team made its international debut only in 2016. A decade later, the national flag is guaranteed to feature at the women’s 60kg medal ceremony later this week.

“We are developing in boxing, and this is a sign that we are moving in the right direction,” Fatima said after her victory. “This is our first step. We are hoping for the gold as well, and this medal will mean a lot for Pakistan boxing.”

Fatima dominated the three-round contest from the opening bell. Four judges scored the fight 29-28 in her favour, while the fifth awarded her a convincing 30-27 victory.

She will now face Canada’s Marie-Bathoul Al-Ahmadieh in Friday’s semi-final, with a place in the gold medal bout at stake.

While Fatima celebrated a landmark achievement, Pakistan’s men’s boxing campaign came to an end after Qudratullah was eliminated in the 60kg event by Northern Ireland’s Jude Gallagher.

Reigning Commonwealth Games 57kg champion, Gallagher, controlled the contest from the outset and won the opening round on all five judges’ scorecards. Qudratullah was deducted a point in the second round for repeatedly lowering his head, and although he mounted a late comeback in the final round, it was not enough to overturn the deficit.

Gallagher eventually prevailed by split decision, ending Pakistan’s men’s challenge at the Games.

Pakistan also endured disappointment in athletics and swimming. Mohammad Ismail finished 41st out of 46 runners in the men’s 400m heats with a time of 50.60 seconds, missing out on qualification for the semi-finals.

Swimmer Hamza Asif also failed to progress after placing 46th among 70 competitors in the men’s 50m butterfly heats, clocking 26.09 seconds.