ISLAMABAD: Three Pakistani siblings made history when they became the first to bag four medals at an international taekwondo championship in Malaysia this month, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Sunday.
The MBW International Taekwondo Championship 2025 was held from Aug. 15-17 at the Malaysian city of Nilai at the N9 Arena, drawing over 4,200 athletes from 32 countries.
Ayesha Ayaz, Pakistan’s youngest taekwondo champion, clinched both a gold and a bronze medal. Her elder brother, Mohammad Zaryab Khan, won a gold medal after a series of commanding performances while the youngest sibling, Gulalai Ayaz, was named Best Fighter of the Tournament and secured a bronze medal.
“This marks the first time in Pakistan’s history that three siblings have collectively secured four medals at an international taekwondo event,” APP reported.
“Their victory has sparked celebrations in Swat and across the country, where people see their success as a beacon of pride and motivation for the younger generation.”
Ayesha thanked god for her victory, paying tribute to her father for believing in her talents.
“I am deeply grateful to my father, who has been my greatest source of strength, and to all the supporters who always believed in me,” she said.
Ayesha, born in 2011 in the northwestern Swat valley, started practicing taekwondo at the age of 3 and made her international debut at 8. She is also the youngest national champion.
The siblings’ father is the coach of Pakistan’s national taekwondo team while their mother is a double national champion. Her father also runs a martial arts training academy in Swat.
Ayesha has been making headlines internationally for Pakistan in the combat sport. She was the youngest competitor to win a bronze medal for Pakistan in the 27 kg category at the Al-Fujairah Open Taekwondo Championship in Dubai in 2019.
In February 2020, the talented young athlete earned a gold medal in the 34 kg category at the 8th Al-Fujairah Open Taekwondo Championship in Dubai.
She has also secured the title of district champion five times and been crowned a provincial champion twice.
