From Underdog to Champion: Kazakhstan’s Journey to Karate Olympic Gold and What Pakistan Can Learn?

Pakistan’s burgeoning interest in karate presents an opportunity for the country to excel in the sport, and Kazakhstan’s remarkable performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics serves as a model for what can be achieved through rigorous training and support. Nevertheless, Pakistan must also confront the obstacles that are presently impeding its progress in the field. By adopting Kazakhstan’s strategies, Pakistan can establish a reputation for itself in karate. Pakistan’s athletes have once again demonstrated their excellence at the South Asian Karate Championship 2022 held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Pakistani contingent secured an impressive tally of over two dozen medals, including seven gold, eleven silver, and eight bronze medals. In addition to the seven gold medals, the Pakistani team secured 11 silver and 8 bronze medals, further cementing their position as a powerhouse in the South Asian karate arena.

Overall, the Pakistani athletes’ exceptional performances in the South Asian Karate Championship 2022 have brought immense pride to their country, and their achievements are sure to inspire future generations of Pakistani athletes to excel in the sport. Things are not easy as it seems because Pakistan’s Karate Federation should work on various things which we will discuss in the article.

Kazakhstan’s remarkable achievements in karate at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were among the many surprises of the event. Tareq Abdesselem’s coaching led the team to win multiple medals, including two bronze medals. The team’s historic performance was marked by qualifying five athletes, making them the only team in the world to qualify all their men’s Kumite athletes in Tokyo. Tareq Abdesselem, a former French Karateka champion, currently serves as the Head Coach for the Olympic Kazakhstan team in the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games. Tareq has previously held the position of head coach for the national Karate teams of Thailand and Indonesia. Furthermore, he has also fulfilled the role of a previous athlete for the esteemed French national team.

Pakistan has undoubtedly produced several athletes who have made significant strides at the international level, bringing home medals and acclaim to their nation. Here are some of the most outstanding individuals who have achieved remarkable success in their respective fields:

Naseer Ahmed: Naseer Ahmed is a former Pakistani karate champion who has won several gold medals in international competitions, including the South Asian Games and the Islamic Solidarity Games. He has also represented Pakistan in the World Karate Championships and has won medals in several other international tournaments.

Another accomplished karate athlete from Pakistan is Amir Mehmood, who has proven his mettle at numerous international events, such as the Commonwealth Karate Championships and the Islamic Solidarity Games, representing Pakistan with distinction.

Kulsoom Hazara: Kulsoom is a female karate athlete from Pakistan who has made significant contributions to her country’s athletic history by earning several medals at various international events, including the South Asian Games and the Islamic Solidarity Games.

Shahbaz Khan: Shahbaz Khan is another Pakistani karate champion who has made his mark on the international stage. He has won gold medals in several international competitions, including the South Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games.

The aforementioned excerpt highlights the success of several accomplished karate athletes from Pakistan, who have achieved commendable results at both national and international levels. These athletes serve as a source of motivation for aspiring athletes and exemplify the immense potential of Pakistan’s karate talent. Despite the country’s rich tradition of producing talented athletes across various sports, Pakistan has yet to establish a prominent presence in the field of karate at the international level. This is largely due to inconsistent results despite the presence of some promising karate athletes.
To address this issue, it is imperative to examine how Pakistan can establish a strong reputation in karate, reform the Pakistan Karate Federation system, identify necessary changes, and cultivate more karate talent.

One key factor in achieving success in karate is investing in grassroots development. Currently, the lack of grassroots development has hindered Pakistan’s ability to produce consistent results in karate. To address this, it is essential to identify promising young athletes and provide them with adequate training and resources at an early age. This approach would enable the nurturing and development of their skills, ultimately leading to a steady production of more karate talent in Pakistan.

2- Enhancing Investment in Karate: Karate, just like any other sport, requires a substantial investment in terms of training, equipment, and infrastructure. To equip its athletes with the requisite resources to compete at the highest level, Pakistan needs to increase its investment in karate. Both the government and private organizations should proactively invest in karate development to raise the standard of the sport in the country.

3- Elevating Coaching Standards: The quality of coaching is pivotal in honing the skills of athletes. Pakistan must strive to elevate its coaching standards to ensure that its athletes receive top-notch training. It is imperative to prioritize the development of coaching talent within the country, which will help foster future karate champions.

4- Reforming the Pakistan Karate Federation System: The governance, accountability, and transparency of the Pakistan Karate Federation (PKF) have been marred with problems. To advance in karate, it is essential to reform the PKF system. A transparent and unambiguous selection process should be put in place for athletes, and the PKF must be accountable for its actions.

5- Augmenting Participation in International Events: Pakistan needs to amplify its participation in international karate events to gain exposure and experience. The more Pakistan competes in international events, the more opportunities its athletes will have to face the world’s best and learn from their experiences.

Pakistan has the potential to produce world-class karate athletes, but it requires significant investment and commitment from all stakeholders. The focus should be on grassroots development, investing in karate, improving coaching standards, fixing the PKF system, and increasing participation in international events. With the right strategy and commitment, Pakistan can make its mark on the international karate stage and produce more talented karate athletes in the future. To improve the standard of karate in Pakistan, the country can follow the example of the Kazakh team and sign foreign karate coaches. The hiring of France athlete Tareq Abdesselem by the Kazakh team proved to be a valuable decision and helped the team to produce impressive results at the international level. Currently, Pakistan has appointed Shah Faisal as the coordinator of the KP Karate Association, who is an international coach himself. However, to further enhance the quality of coaching, Pakistan needs to recruit more foreign coaches with the necessary experience and expertise to help develop karate talent within the country.

Author: Asma Siddiqui Bangash

A freelance journalist with a passion for telling stories that matter. Her work has been featured in various national and international publications, including The Express Tribune, Hiba Magazine, Girls on the Bus, and others.