Mohammad Shehzad, a 64-year-old rower from Pakistan, delivered a stellar performance at the Asian Indoor Rowing Championship held in Pattaya, Thailand, winning the gold medal in the 60+ singles category.Competing against a younger Indian opponent, James Joseph, Shehzad not only secured the top spot but also set a new Asian record with a time of 1:32.30. His historic win marked a significant moment in the championship.Shehzad’s daughter, Mahoor Shahzad—an Olympian who represented Pakistan at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics—celebrated his victory on X (formerly Twitter), expressing pride in her father’s accomplishment.Pakistan had a strong showing at the event overall, earning a total of 14 medals: 10 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze. The competition, which ran from May 26 to 31, featured indoor rowing events using machines like the Concept2 ergometer, simulating real rowing conditions in a controlled setting.Other notable contributions came from rowers Abdul Jabbar and Tayyab Iftikhar, who helped bolster Pakistan’s medal tally. Still, it was Shehzad’s performance that stood out as a deeply personal and national triumph.He dedicated his gold medal to the Pakistan Armed Forces and the country’s martyrs, adding an emotional layer to his victory and further highlighting his patriotic spirit.
