Dukki: The 4th Asian IKD Karate Championship, which took place from September 5 to 10 at Azad Islamic University in Najafabad, Isfahan, ended with notable achievements for Pakistani participants. Zainuddin Tareen from Dukki District emerged as a standout performer, securing a gold and a brown medal, while Lizeenuddin Tareen clinched a bronze in their respective categories.
According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Balochistan, the event saw the participation of the Pakistan National Karate Team under the leadership of Jalaluddin Tareen, President of International Karate Daigaku Pakistan. Zainuddin Tareen won the gold medal in the individual kata event in the quarter-finals of the under-18 age category. He triumphed over competitors from Tajikistan in the semi-finals and Iran in the finals to claim the top spot. Meanwhile, Lizeenuddin Tareen earned his bronze medal in the minus 50 kg weight category.
The championship featured competitors from 11 Asian countries, including Pakistan, Iraq, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Oman, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan, Kuwait, Indonesia, and the host nation, Iran. A total of 80 international, Asian, and national referee judges oversaw the competition, ensuring a high standard of judging across all events.
This year’s championship not only highlighted the skills and talents of young martial artists from across Asia but also played a pivotal role in promoting karate as a significant sport in the region. The participation of various dignitaries and officials further underscored the importance of the event in the international sports calendar.