Western Cape, 27 August 2023 (WAI): On the penultimate day of the Tent Pegging World Cup hosted in South Africa, Pakistan triumphed in a thrilling exhibition of equestrian talent and prowess. The team finished off a strong showing throughout the competition by winning not one but two gold medals. This victory also catapulted Pakistan to a solid second-place finish in the overall rankings, securing the coveted World Cup Silver.
High Commissioner Aftab Hasan Khan attended the final awards ceremony and gave the recipients their well-earned medals. Pakistan’s victorious cyclists, clad in gold and silver, were bright examples of dedication, skill, and tenacity.
The third and final day of the Tent Pegging World Cup featured six riveting runs featuring riders from nine countries. These runs comprised complex categories, including Ring and Peg, Lemon and Peg, and Sword and Lance Relays. Pakistan’s squad, comprised of Tassawur Abbas, Irfan Mehmood, Wajahatullah Khan, and Nasir Abbas, stood out as powerful challengers, ultimately completing the day on a resounding note of victory.
The first round of the day, the Ring and Peg category, required riders to show exceptional accuracy and precision. Negotiating their way through a ring without making touch and then spearing a peg displayed their fantastic talent. Wajahatullah and Tassawur Abbas stood out in this round, earning maximum points. Irfan Mehmood chipped in with two points, but Nasir Abbas struggled to secure his peg despite his strong performance on the first day.
The riders in the Lemon and Peg category faced an unusual obstacle in the form of slicing or stabbing a lemon before aiming for the peg. Tassawur Abbas once again demonstrated his remarkable abilities, leading the charge for Pakistan with 36 points. Wajahatullah and Irfan earned 30 points apiece after successfully slicing their lemons. Nasir Abbas made 24 points in this challenging category, indicating the fierce competitiveness among riders.
The climactic relays gave the competition a thrilling new dimension. The Pakistani team performed brilliantly in the Sword Relay despite Wajahatullah’s failure in the lance division. Each rider expertly pierced and carried the target, ensuring their triumph. As the sword relay completed, joyful chants of “Pakistan Zindabad” echoed through the air, confirming Pakistan’s second gold medal.
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Pakistan’s outstanding performance on the final day yielded a remarkable 294 points, clinching the gold medal. Saudi Arabia trailed closely with 289 points, while India secured 276.5 points, rounding out the top ranks. Tassawur Abbas stood tall as the day’s standout rider, claiming an individual gold medal for his perfect performance that earned him 100% of the available points.
The team’s remarkable performance on the second day enabled Pakistan to leapfrog from third to second place in the overall championship standings. With a total of 570 points, Pakistan secured the prestigious World Cup Silver. The championship trophy was captured by Saudi Arabia, amassing 581.5 points, while India clinched the third position with 548.5 points. Irfan Mehmood’s outstanding performance earned him the overall individual silver medal in the championship, further underscoring Pakistan’s excellence.
The extraordinary performance by the Pakistani equestrian team in the Tent Pegging World Cup in South Africa will be remembered in the sports history books. The team’s double gold win and second-place finish in the championship are proof of their unwavering dedication to training and unmatched brilliance. As the echoes of “Pakistan Zindabad” resound, this triumph is a moment of national pride and celebration for Pakistan’s equestrian community and the country.
IT/Telecom Marketing Specialist.
