KABUL, May 15, (Pajhwok Afghan News)-- The Afghan Karate team has come second in the Asian ‘full-contact’ heats after winning a gold medal, beating their strongest opponent Japan, officials said Sunday.

Qasim Ali Haideri, an Afghan refugee living in Iran won a gold medal in the middle weight catergory and 6 bronze medals were won by other Afghans. The Afghan team was received with pride by their fellow countrymen for beating the Japanese, where the sport originates.

"The Afghans are proud of them for defeating the Japanese team, who are said to be strong contenders," said the head of Afghan Olympic press office Ghulam Jelani Ghuroob.

He said there were also contestants from Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, United Arab Emirates and Japan. Seven teams including Afghanistan had participated in these competitions which were held from May 10-13.