Balochistan win overall crown at national junior karate championship in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: Balochistan secured the overall title at the 7th National Junior (Male & Female) Karate Championship 2026, which concluded in Peshawar after several days of competition featuring young athletes from across the country.

According to the event results, Balochistan topped the women’s standings with four gold medals. Punjab finished second with two gold, three silver and one bronze medal, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa placed third after winning two silver and four bronze medals.

In the men’s contests, organised by the Directorate of Sports, Balochistan also finished on top with three gold, one silver and two bronze medals. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ended as runners-up with two gold, one silver and two bronze medals, while Punjab took third place with one gold, three silver and two bronze medals.

Closing ceremony

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Director General Sports Tashfeen Haider attended the closing ceremony as chief guest and distributed medals and trophies among the winners. He was joined by Muhammad Jahangir, Andleeb Sandhu, Arbab Faiz, Shah Faisal, Khalid Noor and Asim Qureshi, along with other officials and guests.

KP medal winners

Among Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s notable performers in the men’s events, Yahya Khan won gold in the under-50kg category and Abu Bakar claimed gold in the over-68kg division. Sartaj Gul took silver in individual kata.

In the women’s events, Hina Khan won silver in the over-59kg category and Areeba Farooq secured silver in the under-43kg division. Bronze medals for the province went to Iman Afridi, Fatima Noor, Nazia, Adil Sami and Sudais Afridi.

Athletes, coaches and officials commended the organisers and the Pakistan Karate Federation for holding the championship successfully. Participants also expressed confidence that national-level events of this kind would help identify new talent and support the growth and promotion of karate in Pakistan.