Islamabad – Three brothers and sisters in Pakistan’s Swat valley have made world news by being the first siblings in the country to win a total of four medals in an international taekwondo championship.
This is a historic performance in the MBW International Taekwondo Championship 2025, held August 15-17 in Nilai, Malaysia, with 4,200 participants representing 32 nations.
This phenomenal feat was a family achievement as each brother added to the number of medals. Ayesha Ayaz, who is already considered to be the youngest taekwondo champion in Pakistan, won a gold and a bronze medal.
His elder brother, Mohammad Zaryab Khan, won a gold medal, demonstrating some brilliant technique and power in his fights.
Youngest of the siblings, Gulalai Ayaz, won a bronze medal and also received the title of Best Fighter of the Tournament.
The accomplishment has not only brought pride to the nation but also sent a strong message concerning the potential of young sports persons in Pakistan.
The significance of their victory was noted by the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), which mentioned that this marks “the first time in Pakistan’s history that three siblings have collectively secured four medals at an international taekwondo event.”
This unprecedented accomplishment has sparked celebrations in their hometown of Swat and throughout the country, where their success is seen as a bright source of hope and motivation for future generations of athletes.
Family History of Martial Arts
At the core of their triumph is a family with deep ties to martial arts. Their father trains Pakistan’s national taekwondo team and runs a martial arts academy in Swat, where he nurtures young talent.
Their mother is also an accomplished sportswoman, known as a double national champion. This family legacy of commitment and excellence has undoubtedly played a vital role in the siblings’ success on the global stage.
Starting Young
Ayesha Ayaz was born in 2011 and started practicing taekwondo when she was only three years old, and has been a star performer since then. She started her international career at the age of eight and has since been in the limelight because of her outstanding performances.
In 2019, she was awarded the bronze medal in the 27 kg category and became the youngest athlete to win a medal in Pakistan in the Al-Fujairah Open Taekwondo Championship in Dubai. In the next year, in February 2020, she won a gold medal in the 34 kg category in the 8th Al-Fujairah Open Taekwondo Championship. Her superiority is also evident at the domestic level, where she has become a district champion five times and provincial champion twice.
After her victory in Malaysia, Ayesha expressed her thankfulness, acknowledging God and her father for his constant support. “I’m really thankful to my dad, who has been my biggest motivator, and to everyone who has always believed in me,” she said, reflecting the appreciation of a young athlete whose dreams are backed by family and community.
