Pakistan bids goodbye to yet another year, but 2016 was not a mundane time for Pakistani sports at least, as it was the time when the country shifted from its traditional domain and moved towards exploring newer realms.
Pakistan remained a mediocre side in some of its most popular games including hockey, cricket and squash. Although, one could argue the Pakistan cricket team did managed to grab the top spot in Test cricket, an unprecedented feat on its own albeit for a brief period, but the team failed to achieve anything substantial in the games shorter formats.
Surprisingly, the country received international recognition from the unexpected avenues of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), boxing and bodybuilding, with sportsmen bolstering the national pride by winning titles and gold in their respective fields.
Here is the list of some of the memorable achievements by Pakistani sportsmen in 2016:
Pakistani Wolverine makes history
Ahmad Mujtaba Pakistans unbeaten Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) star affectionately called The Wolverine won the ONE Championship, Asias largest MMA platform in November. The undefeated champion beat Singapores Benedict Ang.
The Quetta-born lad, now eyes to represent Pakistan at the UFC.
Waseem becomes Pakistan's first silver flyweight champion
2016 saw the rise of another champion from Pakistan this time in boxing, after Muhammad Waseem became the countrys first fighter to win the World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver flyweight title in July this year.
The Quetta-based boxer then went on to successfully defend his title against Philippines Giemel Magramo in November. Fortunately, the boxers accomplishments didnt went unnoticed, and was awarded Rs30 million by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Ahmed Butt defeats polio, wins gold at Musclemania
Affected by something as dreaded as polio, doesnt mean that one cannot achieve his potential. This was proven by bodybuilder Naveed Ahmed Butt, who went on to make the country proud by winning the Natural Musclemania title held in USA, this November.
Mohammad Ali-inspired Razia breaks stereotypes in Lyari
Razia Abdul Aziz, a young girl hailing from the boxing loving Lyari neighbourhood of Karachi, dreamed to become a boxer after watching the grand funeral of greatest boxer and sportsman of all time, Mohammad Ali.
Razia, who aims to represent Pakistan at Olympics in the near future, KOd several taboos in the process, including financial considerations, and secondly the Pakistani society, where female representation in sports remains embarrassingly low.
Rise of young guns in Squash
Since the departure of the amazing duo of Jahangir and Jansher, Pakistan has failed to produce another champion in the game of Squash.
However, the juniors provided a ray of hope as Pakistan won the 2016 World Team Junior Squash Championships after beating defending champions Egypt in the final by 2-1 in August.
Pakistan wins gold, beats India in Kabaddi
Pakistan defeated arch-rivals India and won gold at the 2016 Asian Beach Games in the game of Kabbadi. Pakistan was barred from representing in the recently concluded Kabaddi World Cup, enjoyed redemption after they defeated their greatest rival India 30-28 in a close match to clinch the mens event in Danang, Vietnam in September, marking a major blow to India right before the Kabaddi World Cup.
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