History was made in Amman as Malaika Noor, a 20-year-old judoka from Lakki Marwat, became the first Pakistani female athlete to ever win a medal at an Asian-level judo competition. Competing in the 52kg category at the Amman Asian Open 2025, she secured a prestigious silver medal, marking a breakthrough moment for Pakistan in the sport.
Malaika’s journey to the podium was filled with grit and determination. In the semifinal, she defeated Jordan’s Raneem Aljazazi in under three minutes, showcasing her technical brilliance and mental toughness. In the final, she fought bravely but narrowly missed the gold, settling for silver — a historic achievement nonetheless.
Her rise has been steady. Last year, Malaika represented Pakistan at the World Junior Judo Championship 2024 in Tajikistan, where although she exited in the early rounds, she caught the attention of the International Judo Federation for her potential.
The Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) hailed her accomplishment. “This is Malaika’s second international event and already she has shown remarkable improvement,” said PJF Secretary Masood Ahmed. She trains at Qayyum Stadium, Peshawar, represents Wapda in domestic competitions, and continues to inspire athletes nationwide.
Alongside Malaika, the PJF has fielded five other judokas at the Amman Asian Open across senior, junior, and cadet categories. Officials stress that such exposure is vital for building a new generation of champions.
Malaika Noor’s silver medal is more than just a personal triumph — it is a proud moment for Pakistan, proving that female athletes can break barriers and bring international recognition to the country.
