Pakistan rowing team makes history with record medal haul at Asian Championship

Pakistan’s rowing team delivered its strongest-ever performance at the Asian Indoor Rowing Championship, held from May 26 to 31 in Pattaya, Thailand, collecting an impressive 14 medals—including 10 golds—and securing third place overall.

Competing against top athletes from over 20 Asian nations, the Pakistani rowers excelled in multiple categories, including the Masters, Under-23, and Open divisions. 

The standout of the championship was Asad Ali, who earned five gold medals. Maqbool Ali and Wali Khan followed with two golds each, while Abdul Jabbar and Muhammad Shahzad both captured a gold and a silver. Tayyab Iftikhar rounded out the tally with one silver and one bronze.

Pakistan’s final medal count—10 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze—marked a historic milestone, highlighting the team’s rapid development and potential on the continental stage. Thailand claimed the top spot, with India finishing second.

The championship, hosted in the coastal city of Pattaya, was praised for its organisation and drew elite rowing talent from across Asia. Pakistani athletes were widely commended for their dedication, signalling a bright future for the nation’s indoor rowing ambitions.