Mahoor Shehzad wins her eighth National Badminton title in a row

Pakistani athletes Murad Ali and Mahoor Shehzad clinched the titles at the 61st National Badminton Championship in the male and female singles competition, respectively.

In a nail-biting finale of the men’s singles, Murad Ali from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa triumphed over Pakistan Army’s Anjum Bashir in two sets, with scores of 21-19 and 21-18.

Mahoor Shehzad from Wapda claimed victory in the women’s singles by defeating her teammate Ghazala Siddiqui with scores of 21-16 and 22-20. Mahoor secured the title of National Badminton Champion for the eighth consecutive time.

Speaking to the media about her winning streak, Mahoor said, “I became a mother to a daughter recently and was strictly prohibited from training for four months. The doctors advised me to give up the championship.”

“I was told to forget it, but I didn't want to let the title go easily to someone else,” she added.

The 27-year-old athlete expressed determination to improve her world ranking.

“Due to the birth of my daughter I have not been able to play international events for a long time now I am trying to participate in as many events as possible,” she said.

The doubles events also featured thrilling matches, with Raja Muhammad Hasnain and Raja Zulqarnain Haider representing the Army clinching victory over Murad Ali and Azeem Sarwar of Wapda in straight sets, 21-11 and 21-13.

In the women’s doubles, Saima Waqas and Ammarah Ishtiaq from Wapda and the Army secured a win against Palwasha Bashir and Ghazala Siddiqui in a three-set thriller, with scores of 10-21, 21-17, and 21-16.

The mixed doubles event saw Wapda’s M Ali Larosh emerge victorious over Zunain Javed in an exciting match, finishing with a score of 21-19, while SNGPL’s Zubaira Islam overcame Palwasha Bashir, winning with a score of 21-19.