Raja Martial Arts Players Bring International Glory to Pakistan

Islamabad: Shihan Raja Khalid Mahmood Janjua, President of Karate Pakistan, expressed confidence that Pakistani players will achieve even greater success for the country in the coming year, emphasizing the need for continued hard work and dedication.

He made these remarks during a virtual address at a ceremony held in honor of the Pakistani karate team that won gold medals at the International Commonwealth Karate Tournament held in Navoi, Uzbekistan. A grand reception was organized at Raja Martial Arts, Bahria Town, Islamabad, to celebrate the historic achievement.

For the first time in Pakistan’s history, players from Raja Martial Arts Club secured three gold medals at an international karate event. The Pakistani team’s outstanding performance made 2025 a year of pride and success for the nation. Shihan Raja Khalid Mahmood Janjua termed Field Marshal Asim Munir a role model for the youth and highlighted the importance of discipline, dedication, and national service.

Pakistan Martial Arts Queen Miss Laiba Rab Nawaz Janjua was specially praised for setting a strong example for women by winning a gold medal. Shihan Raja Khalid emphasized that self-defense is extremely important for women and that female athletes should be encouraged to participate in martial arts.

Speaking on the occasion, Miss Laiba Rab Nawaz Janjua, Isha Iram, Ms. Iram Nadeem, Sheehan Muzammil Mehboob, Khalid Qureshi, Akash Rajput, Raja Azhar Iqbal Janjua, Asghar Ali Mubarak, and others stressed that Pakistan’s sports institutions must support athletes who project a positive and soft image of the country at the international level.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of guests, including Lt. Gen. (R) Nadeem Ahmed, Hina Nadeem, Azhar Khan, M. Ramin Muzammil, Majid Mughal, Akram Khan, Sharafat Ali, Owais Rashid Mughal, Towhid Shah, Daniyal Butt, Saima Imran, Fatima Imran, Saadia Saeed Chaudhry, Farheen Janjua, Yasmin Janjua, Maryam Asghar, Tayyaba Imran Janjua, Huriya Iman, Usman Janjua, Ayesha Shaukat, Zainab Shaukat, Waleed Bin Asghar, and Anib Butt.

Speakers acknowledged that the standard of competition is continuously rising at the global level and stressed the need for sustained training and professional coaching. They credited the special coaching and guidance of Shihan Raja Khalid Mahmood Janjua for Pakistan’s historic success.

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Gold medal winners Miss Laiba Rab Nawaz Janjua and Isha Iram said that their success was the result of Allah’s blessings, the prayers of their parents, and the dedicated training provided by Shihan Raja Khalid Mahmood Janjua.

In the Commonwealth Karate Tournament, players from Raja Martial Arts, Bahria Town Islamabad—Miss Laiba Rab Nawaz Janjua, Miss Isha Iram, and Abdullah—won gold medals. Notably, Senpai Isha Iram and Senpai Laiba Rab Nawaz Janjua became the second female karate players in Pakistan’s history to win gold medals at an international karate tournament.

In various categories, Senpai Laiba Rab Nawaz Janjua won one gold and one silver medal, Senpai Isha Iram won a gold medal, Abdullah secured a gold medal, while Sensei Hassan Ali won two silver medals.

President of Karate Pakistan, Shihan Raja Khalid Mahmood Janjua, appreciated the exceptional performance of the Pakistani team and expressed optimism for further international successes. He stated that the achievements reflect his vision and commitment to developing martial arts in Pakistan. Shihan Raja Khalid Mahmood Janjua, a 6th Dan Black Belt (Japan, USA) and Hall of Fame inductee in the United States, has provided world-class coaching and facilities, resulting in Pakistan’s remarkable achievement of three gold medals on the international stage.