(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Pakistan Wins 22 Medals at South Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026
Apr 13, 2026
Pakistan delivered an outstanding performance at the South Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026 held in Dagana, securing a total of 22 medals in one of its most successful appearances at the international level.
The national team won 12 gold, five silver, and five bronze medals, showcasing strong performances across multiple categories.
Strong Performance Across Categories
Pakistan’s dominance was evident as several athletes reached the finals, with some even competing against fellow teammates, highlighting the team’s depth and consistency.
Youth Athletes Shine
Young competitors played a key role in the overall success. Athletes such as Rishaal Khan, Zunaira Zulfiqar Ali, Ibad ur Rehman, and Rashid Ali delivered notable performances, indicating a promising future for the sport in Pakistan.
In the youth categories:
- Zunaira Zulfiqar and Sundus Ali secured gold in the Under-16 Duo event
- Muhammad Abdullah Ali and Sundus Ali won gold in Under-18
- Ibad ur Rehman and Muhammad Abdullah Ali claimed silver in the same category
Success in Duo and Show Events
Pakistan performed strongly in duo and show system events:
- M. Ali Rashid and M. Yousuf Ali won gold in Duo Men/Classic
- Ali Rashid and Dr. Isra Waseem secured gold in Duo Mixed
- Kainat Arif and Isra Waseem earned silver in Duo Women/Show
In the Show System:
- M. Yousuf Ali and Umer Yaseen won gold in Show Men
- Kainat Arif and Isra Waseem secured gold in Show Women
- Ali Rashid and Isra Waseem added another gold in Show Mixed
Individual Category Achievements
Pakistani athletes also performed well in individual categories:
- Muhammad Ali Rashid won gold in the -62 kg category
- Abdullah secured gold in the -77 kg category
- Kainat Arif claimed gold in the -57 kg category
Other notable results included:
- Rishaal Khan winning silver in -48 kg and a bronze in youth category
- Zunaira Zulfiqar earning bronze in Under-16 -44 kg
Federation Response and Future Plans
Following the success, officials from the Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation praised the athletes’ dedication and performance. The federation announced that gold medal-winning duos have been recommended for the President’s Award for Outstanding Performance.
Cash rewards are also expected for medalists, while preparations will be further strengthened for upcoming Asian and World Championship events.
Outlook
This achievement highlights Pakistan’s growing presence in international jiu-jitsu and reflects the development of young talent across multiple competitive levels.
