Pakistan’s Muhammad Farrukh Nadeem wins gold at 2026 Asian Shotgun Championship in Doha, setting Asian and world records in trap shooting with 27/30 score, boosting national pride.
27/30 Perfection: Pakistan's Nadeem Shatters Records for Gold in Doha:
In a stunning display of precision at the Asian Shotgun Championship in Doha, Pakistan’s Muhammad Farrukh Nadeem clinched gold in the men’s individual trap event on January 20, 2026, rewriting the record books with a score of 27 out of 30 targets. This feat not only secured the top podium spot but established new Asian and world benchmarks, outpacing competitors from across the continent. As Qatar hosted the high-stakes tournament, Nadeem’s triumph highlights Pakistan’s growing prowess in shooting sports, inspiring national pride while underscoring the discipline’s global appeal. Amid cheers at the Lusail Shooting Complex, the win comes at a time when such achievements boost morale in a nation facing broader challenges, proving individual excellence can shine through.
Records Shattered as Asian Trap Shooting Championship Delivers Thrilling Medal Battles:
The championship’s trap events kicked off with qualification rounds, where teams and individuals vied for spots in the finals. In the men’s team category, Qatar’s Saeed Abu Sharib, Mohammed Al Rumaihi, and Angelo Scalzone tallied 352 targets over five rounds to earn silver, trailing Kuwait’s gold-winning 354 from Abdulrahman Al Faihan, Nasser Al Muqallad, and Khaled Al Mudhaf. The UAE took bronze with 351.
Nadeem’s individual performance stole the show. After advancing through qualifiers, he dominated the finals, hitting 27 of 30 clay targets launched at varying angles and speeds. This surpassed previous records, as confirmed by officials. Kazakhstan’s Maxim Beidarov (also listed as Maksym Baydarov in some reports) claimed silver with 26/30, while Kuwait’s Abdulrahman Al Faihan secured bronze at 20/30.
Parallel women’s events saw Chinese Taipei’s Wan-Yu Liu mirror the record-breaking theme, winning gold with 24/30 and setting new Asian and world marks. Kazakhstan’s Ilyinova Ibragimova took silver (23/30), and China’s Shen-Yu Fan bronze (17/30). In team play, Kazakhstan topped with 325 targets (corrected from initial reports of 235, aligning with consistent sourcing), followed by Chinese Taipei (316) and Kuwait (315).
Awards were presented by key figures including Mohammed bin Yousef Al Mana, First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, and ambassadors, capping a day of intense competition.
Trap Shooting's Journey: From 19th-Century Origins to Pakistan's Asian Breakthrough:
Trap shooting, a discipline testing speed and accuracy against flying clay targets, has roots in 19th-century bird hunting simulations but evolved into an Olympic sport by 1900. The Asian Shotgun Championship, held annually or biennially under the Asian Shooting Confederation, serves as a crucial platform for regional athletes, often feeding into world championships and Olympic qualifiers. This 2026 edition in Doha marked Qatar’s growing role as a sports hub, following its hosting of events like the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
For Pakistan, shooting sports have seen sporadic success, with figures like Ghulam Mustafa Bashir earning Olympic spots in pistol events. Nadeem’s win builds on this, potentially his breakout moment-prior records show limited international exposure, though he may have competed in national circuits. It elevates Pakistan’s medal tally in Asian competitions, where the nation has historically lagged in shooting compared to powerhouses like China and India. Economically, such victories can attract sponsorships and funding for training; They inspire youth in a country where sports like cricket dominate, fostering discipline and national unity.
Globally, the event underscores shotgun sports’ inclusivity, with records tumbling amid technological advances in equipment and training. Doha’s hosting aligns with Qatar’s vision to promote regional cooperation through sports.