June 2, 2026 HANOI Pakistan’s emerging wrestling talent showcased its growing potential at the Under-17 Asian Beach Wrestling Championship 2026, as the national team secured one gold and one silver medal in an impressive display against some of Asia’s strongest young competitors.
Leading Pakistan’s medal haul was Muhammad Usman Laghari, who captured the gold medal in the 90kg category and was crowned Asian champion after an unbeaten run throughout the tournament. His triumph highlighted both his individual excellence and the steady progress of Pakistan’s youth wrestling programme on the continental stage.
Laghari began his campaign with a convincing victory over a wrestler from the host nation, Vietnam. He then continued his winning streak by defeating opponents from Mongolia and China in the preliminary rounds. Maintaining his momentum, he overcame a strong challenge from Kazakhstan in the semi-final to book a place in the championship match.
In the final, Laghari once again faced a Vietnamese wrestler and delivered a commanding performance to secure the top podium finish. His technical ability, confidence and consistency throughout the event earned widespread praise and established him as one of the standout performers of the championship.
Pakistan’s success was further enhanced by Hassan Ali Bhola, who claimed a silver medal in the 70kg category after an outstanding run to the final. Bhola demonstrated resilience and determination throughout the competition, recording victories over two wrestlers from Jordan, one from Saudi Arabia and two from Vietnam.
His most notable victory came in the semi-final, where he defeated a formidable Chinese opponent to earn a place in the title clash. Despite a spirited effort in the final, Bhola narrowly missed out on gold and finished with the silver medal, adding another significant achievement to Pakistan’s campaign.
Team officials and coaching staff praised the wrestlers for their dedication and hard work, describing the results as a reward for months of disciplined preparation. Coach Ghulam Farid credited the athletes’ success to consistent training, strong teamwork and their determination to represent Pakistan with pride on the international stage.
He said the achievements reflect the growing standard of wrestling in Pakistan and demonstrate that the country’s young athletes are capable of competing successfully against the best in Asia.
The medal-winning performances have been widely welcomed within sporting circles, with many viewing them as a positive sign for the future of Pakistani wrestling. The success of Laghari and Bhola not only brought recognition to the country but also served as an inspiration for aspiring wrestlers aiming to make their mark at international competitions.
