Rizwan Pathan, a national-level martial arts and gymnastics athlete and multiple medallist, is now working as a labourer at a marble factory in Nowshera after financial hardship forced him to step away from competitive sport. 

He said a lack of financial resources has become the biggest obstacle to his dream of representing Pakistan at the international level.

Pathan, who belongs to Bajaur District, won a gold medal at the 2018 national martial arts championships and has also secured medals at several provincial and local competitions. 

“I saw a video in Mardan and after that my interest grew even more. Because gymnastics requires greater financial resources, I shifted to martial arts, where I went on to win national-level medals,” he told Geo News.

However, he said that continued financial pressure has compelled him to take up daily-wage labour to support his family.

“There is widespread poverty in our area and my family is facing serious financial difficulties, so along with pursuing my passion, I have had to work as a labourer to support my household,” he said.

Despite the hardships, Pathan said he has not abandoned his ambition and appealed for institutional and private patronage to continue his sporting career.

“If I am supported, I will become the best player and a proud name for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan,” he said.

South Africa thrashed India by 76 runs in the third match of the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday.

Batting first at the Narendra Modi Stadium, South Africa posted 187 runs for seven wickets in their 20 overs.

India, chasing 188 runs, were bowled out for 111 runs in the 19th over.

After losing three early wickets for 20 runs, South Africa’s David Miller and Dewald Brewis stitched a 97-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Miller top-scored with 63 runs off 35 balls, including three sixes and seven fours, while Brewis made 45 runs.

Tristan Stubbs remained unbeaten on 44 runs. Other contributions included Ryan Rickleton’s seven runs, Quinton de Kock’s six runs, captain Aiden Markram’s four runs, and Marco Jensen’s two runs.

For India, Jasprit Bumrah claimed three wickets for 15 runs, Arshdeep Singh took two, and Varun Chakravarthy and Shivam Dube took one each.

South African captain Aiden Markram, who won the toss and opted to bat, said the pitch was “very good for batting” and aimed to put pressure on India with a big total.

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav said his side would have chosen to bat first if they had won the toss and confirmed no changes to the team.

After watching Team USA defeat Canada in the Olympics men’s hockey gold medal game, United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth bestowed his old title on American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. 

Hellebuyck collected 41 saves to help keep the game tied at 1-1, forcing overtime. Jack Hughes ultimately scored the game-winner past Canada’s netminder Jordan Binnington. 

One of Hellebuyck’s saves saw him somehow stop a wide-open Devon Toews shot in front of his crease with only his stick, turning quickly with his right hand to stop the puck and keep the game tied in the second period. Without that save, and many others, the result may have been different. 

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A social media account dubbed Hellebuyck the “Secretary of Defense,” and Hegseth, who held that title before the agency he heads became known as the Department of War last September, endorsed the designation. 

“Now we have a Secretary of War…and a Secretary of Defense!” Hegseth said over the post showing Hellebuyck’s incredible efforts. 

CONNOR HELLEBUYCK’S MIRACLE STICK SAVE HELPED TEAM USA CAPTURE FIRST HOCKEY GOLD SINCE 1980 AT OLYMPICS

Hegseth was one of many showing American pride when the U.S. took down Canada, which couldn’t capitalize on some grade-A chances on Hellebuyck, including assistant captain Nathan MacKinnon missing a wide-open net in the third period. 

For the save on Toews, the Canadian Colorado Avalanche star lifted the puck just a bit for Hellebuyck’s paddle to get right in the way for the save. At the time, the score was 1-1, and it held there through the end of the second period and throughout the third before overtime was needed.  

Connor Hellebuyck of Team United States saves the shot taken by Devon Toews #7 of Team Canada in the third period during the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

“It’s a dream come true,” Hellebuyck said, via NBC, after the game. “We grinded, we battled, and this was some of the best and most fun hockey that I’ve ever played.”

The 32-year-old Hellebuyck did let up a goal to Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar in the second period, but he made save after save following that game-tying score to allow his team the chance at glory. 

After the game, Hellebuyck was skating around the ice alone with an American flag on his back, as the crowd roared its approval. 

Goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck of United States celebrates winning the gold medal during the Ice Hockey Men’s Gold Medal Game match between Canada and USA on day sixteen of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Andrea Branca/Eurasia Sport Images)

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Both the men’s and women’s hockey teams are coming home with gold in what was an historic Milan Cortina Games for the U.S.

The U.S. finished with 33 total medals, including a record 12 golds in the Winter Olympics.

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