Shah Hussain Shah aims to repeat father’s feat at Rio Olympics

KARACHI: Twenty-eight years after Hussain Shah from Lyari won bronze medal —Pakistan’s only Olympic boxing medal —at Seoul Olympics, his son Shah Hussain Shah is now set to represent Pakistan in the greatest extravaganza of sports in Rio, Brazil.

Shah Hussain Shah, 23, is probably Pakistan’s only hope for a medal in Rio Olympics. He will be competing in Judo competition, 100 kg weight category.

Having won a silver medal at the Glasgow commonwealth games in 2014, Shah Hussain Shah is now looking to reach the podium at the Olympics.

Speaking exclusively to Geo News from Japan, where he lives with his parents, Shah Hussain Shah said that victories achieved by his father are benchmark for him and he’s looking to repeat his father’s success in Rio.

“I am proud to be known as the son of Hussain Shah. His performances, achievements and victories are morale boosting for me, I have reached to this milestone of playing Olympics by looking at my father’s sporting achievements,” Shah told Geo News.

“I have worked really hard, have trained with top Judokas here in Japan and I am looking forward to giving my best on the day of my fight,” he added.

Shah Hussain Shah, who is also known as “Shah Baba” in his family, has full backing of his father Hussain Shah who won an Olympic Bronze in 1988.

Hussain Shah, the legend boxer of Pakistan, says he is proud to see his son representing Pakistan in the Olympics. Shah Snr. is confident that his son will surely win a medal for the country.

“I am very confident that Shah baba will win the medal for [the] country, he has worked really hard and as a sportsman, I can foresee his success,”

“When I went to take part in the Olympics, I was empty handed. I didn’t get any facility but Shah baba has got everything which can make him keep his chin up and I am sure he’ll make everyone proud,” said the legend boxer.

Hussain Shah has also requested the countrymen to pray for his son's success at the Olympic.