LAHORE: Pakistan’s martial arts prowess was on full display at the Asian MMA Championship 2024, held at the DHA Sports Complex in Lahore, where the nation secured two gold medals through stellar performances by Eman Khan and Bano Butt.
The championship, which coincided with the BRAVE Combat Federation’s highly anticipated event, BRAVE CF 85, attracted top MMA fighters from across Asia, alongside globally recognized athletes. Pakistan’s growing prominence in the sport was evident as the local athletes showcased their skills on home turf.
Bano Butt delivered a remarkable performance in the senior women’s atomweight final, defeating Kazakhstan’s Gulnaz Abdrakhmanova to claim the gold medal. Butt’s victory is a significant achievement, highlighting her exceptional skill and dedication to the sport. Her win not only marks a personal milestone but also brings international recognition to Pakistan’s emerging talent in MMA.
Eman Khan also made headlines by securing a gold medal in the senior women’s flyweight 56.7 kg category. Khan triumphed over Kazakhstan’s Dinara Ayapova with a decisive first-round submission via rear-naked choke.
Team Pakistan faced some challenges in other categories. Bushra Ahmed fell short in her final match against Kazakhstan’s Adel Makhametova, settling for a silver medal. In the men’s division, Zeeshan Akbar, Shahab Ali, and Abdul Manan were unable to secure victories in their crucial bouts.
Team Pakistan concluded the championship with a total of six medals—two gold and four silver. Kazakhstan and Tajikistan led the medals table with seven golds each, while Bahrain secured three golds. Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan both achieved two gold medals each.
