Rizwan Ahmad, a professional badminton player, is a 10-time national champion of Pakistan from 2006 to 2020.
He has continued to shuttle his way around after migrating to Australia and has won three national championship titles in the men’s doubles category since moving here in 2013.
Rizwan and his wife Sara had won mixed doubles titles together in Pakistan and continue to play professional badminton together in Australia.
Highlights:
- Rizwan and Sara are husband and wife and professional badminton players
- Former mixed doubled national champions in Pakistan, they have represented Victoria in Australia as a team
- Rizwan has won three men’s doubles national titles in Australia
Rizwan and Sara began playing professional badminton together in Pakistan as they trained under the same coach there.
“There is not much difference between badminton played in Australia and Pakistan. But the players here in Australia have a better ranking than those in Pakistan. I had some issues competing in the first two years but then I won an Australian title in 2015,” he says.
Sara told SBS Urdu that she and Rizwan are the only migrant couple to reach the top 16 of the Australian Open Super Series in 2016.
The team of Rizwan and Sara hasn’t won any title in Australia yet, but they have reached the finals of many tournaments, including the Kilsyth Badminton Tournament.
Rizwan and Sara after winning a match in Pakistan. Source: Supplied by Sara Mohmand
They have also represented Victoria in the Australian National Championship, also known as Clendinnen Shield in 2015 and 2017.
LISTEN TO
بیڈمینٹن اور زندگی دونوں میدانوں میں ساتھ نبھانے والوں کی داستان
SBS Urdu
15:37
Rizwan told SBS Urdu that they also reached the top-five of a mixed doubles championship called Yonex Sunrise Pakistan International Series in 2016 in which they won a bronze medal.
Is it difficult or easy to play with your spouse as a sporting partner?
Sara and Rizwan have won 56th National Badminton Championship in Pakistan in the mixed doubles category. Source: Supplied by Sara Mohmand
“It is difficult as on-court, the situation is always tense and one can often fight about the shot selection and techniques,” laughed Rizwan.
However, Sara said it is easy to play with your partner in a team.
“You need someone to support you in the match, and as it is a battle of nerves, one needs someone who can understand the other,” she added.
Sara has been playing badminton for the last 15 years and has participated in numerous events including the South Asian Games.
Sara and Rizwan receiving the prize by Mountain District Badminton Association. Source: Supplied by Sara Mohmand
She told SBS Urdu that Rizwan has always been a great sporting partner and a loving husband.
“In Pakistan, the attitude towards women is changing but I haven't faced any difficulty while playing badminton. After becoming a mother, I needed help to rebuild herself mentally and physically. My husband supported me in all aspects.
“Though it was difficult to regain my physical fitness, my husband supported me through thick and thin,” she said.
Sara and Rizwan are optimistic that they will continue to play professional badminton in Australia and win a title for themselves.
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