Pakistan started Olympic bid on losing note as shooter Gulfam Joseph made an exit on Saturday after the defeat of Mahoor Shahzad in women’s badminton event.
Gulfam finished ninth in 10m Air Pistol Olympic Qualifications. As per rules, the first eight shooters entered the finals. It was an unfortunate day for Joseph as he was tied with No 7 and No 8 competitors at the same score of 578/600 and was edged out.
India’s Saurabh Chaudhary topped the qualifying round with a score of 586.
Mahoor, a prolific player and a former national champion, lost to world number 4 Yamaguchi Akane of Japan 21-3, 21-8. She will face Kirsty Gilmour of Great Britain on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, another Invitational Place entrant from Pakistan, weightlifter Talha Talib, will be appearing in the 67 kilogram contest on Sunday.
Talha, 22, will become the first Pakistani weightlifter in 45 years to appear at the Olympics. He did not qualify directly for the Olympics as he got an Invitational Place on quota system.
