By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Olympian judoka Shah Hussain will be the lone judo fighter who will be representing Pakistan in the Commonwealth Games which will begin in Scotland on July 23.
Shah, also known as Shah Baba, will move to Scotland on July 27 from Tokyo along with his Japanese coach.
Having won bronze in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games Tokyo-based Shah Hussain suffered knee injury four years ago that dogged his career.
It was not sure that he would return to the international circuit ever. However after a proper rest and treatment the strong man eventually decided to go for Commonwealth Games.
“Yes I am now fully fit and am confident to win a medal,” Shah Hussain told thecricketplus.com from Tokyo.
It would be after long four years that Shah Hussain would be seen in action in competitive judo competition.
Shah Hussain had also won silver in the 2014 Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow. So again he would be doing his best to ensure Pakistan snares another medal in judo.
“Yes knee injury threatened my career but I had not surrendered as I wanted to represent Pakistan in few events. Besides Commonwealth Games South Asian Games which Pakistan will host next year is also my target,” Shah said.
Asked does he target gold in Glasgow in 100 plus kilogramme weight category Shah said it would be seen how he fights against an Australian fighter who is representing Japan in the Games.
“Much depend will be how he fights against the Australian,” Shah said.
“I have worked very hard and am very much hopeful for a better display in the Games,” Shah said.
Shah was also carrying knee injury in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. However he was able to finish with a bronze eventually, adding to Pakistan’s medal-tally.
Shah is the son of former Pakistan Olympian boxer Hussain Shah who had made Pakistan proud by lifting bronze in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
Shah Hussain has been the only Pakistani judoka in the discipline history who has twice qualified for the Olympics.
Shah made his Olympic debut in the 2016 Rio Olympics and it was followed by his second appearance in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. On both occasions Shah qualified on the basis of continental quota.
