Pakistan athlete Shahzaib Rindh after winning the match© X (Twitter)
India vs Pakistan battles on the sporting stage are rare, but whenever athletes from the two nations come across each other, intense competition is produced. It was the same scenario when India’s Rana Singh and Pakistan’s Shahzaib Rindh came up against each other in the Karate Combat on Saturday. The intense battle saw the Pakistani athlete emerge triumphant 2-1. The contest went into the third round after Pakistan’s Rizwan Ali and India’s Himanshu Kaushik won the first and second match respectively.
More than the game, it was Shahzaib’s gesture that became a big talking point on social media. The Pakistani athlete was seen holding the flags of both his country and India’s. Even the match presenter couldn’t resist asking him the reason behind this act.
Explaining the gesture, Shahzaib said: “This fight was for peace. We are not enemies, we are together. Together we can do anything. This fight is for Pakistan and India’s friendship and being closer.”
A beautiful and powerful message by Pakistani fighter @RindhShahzaib after his victory over Indian fighter in @KarateCombat #KC45
Pakistan beat India by 2-1 in team competition in Dubai last night.. #ShahzaibRind #KarateCombat #PakvsInd #PakvInd #Unity pic.twitter.com/tCikyDBNrM— Pakistan in Pictures (@Pakistaninpics) April 20, 2024
“And, I want to thank Salman Khan for coming here. He’s my superstar. I’ve been watching your movies since childhood. It’s been a pleasure to fight in front of you. Thank you,” he further said.
SHAHZAIB RINDH IS HIM #KarateCombat @KarateCombat @RindhShahzaib pic.twitter.com/XrjCyGo9nQ
— Immi24 (@TheKhan948) April 20, 2024
After the match, Shahzaib also had the opportunity to interact with Bollywood actor Salman Khan, who also couldn’t resist lauding the athlete for his terrific performances.
“Har Jaga 20 20 seconds Mai Knock out Kat daitay Ho yar,” Bollywood star Salman Khan said to Shahzaib Rindh after the fight.@RindhShahzaib pic.twitter.com/vBcr5BjZbT
— Thakur (@hassam_sajjad) April 20, 2024
Shahzaib’s performance and his post-match gesture became a big talking point among fans on both ends of the border.
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