Las Palmas, July 21, 2025 – Jahanara Hassan, a nine-and-a-half-year-old Pakistani girl from Lahore, now residing in London, achieved a remarkable feat by winning two gold medals at the Grand Canaria Judo Cup in Spain. Competing against top judo clubs from Spain, Portugal, and the UK, Jahanara secured victories in both her weight category and a higher weight class, making her the only athlete at the event to claim dual golds.
The tournament, part of the 4th Judo Club AKARI Stage held from July 17 to 20 in Las Palmas, was organized in collaboration with the Canary Islands Judo Federation and the Municipal Sports Institute of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council. Jahanara, representing Mikes Judo Club under the guidance of her coach Sensei Kelly, captivated the audience with her signature move “Boom,” inspired by her sporting idol, former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi. Her standout performance included a thrilling victory over one of Spain’s national champions.
The medals were presented by Hidayat Heydarov, a Judo World Champion, four-time European Champion, and Olympic gold medalist, who personally congratulated the young prodigy. Jahanara’s father, Hamza Hassan, attributed her success to her hard work, discipline, and passion for martial arts, stating, “She gets her strength from her father and her dedication from her mother, Zahra Shah.” Jahanara aspires to represent Pakistan at the World Olympics and hopes her achievement inspires young girls globally to pursue sports.
Her victory highlights the growing presence of Pakistani talent on the international stage and underscores the importance of dedication and training in achieving excellence. Jahanara’s dual gold medals mark a historic moment for Pakistan’s judo community and serve as an inspiration for aspiring athletes worldwide.
