WAPDA crowned National Athletics Champions as Maria Bibi sets 5,000m record

WAPDA dominated the 54th National Athletics Championship securing the overall titles in both the men’s and women’s categories with a combined tally of 27 gold medals.

WAPDA dominated the 54th National Athletics Championship securing the overall titles in both the men’s and women’s categories with a combined tally of 27 gold medals. The competition concluded at NED University in Karachi where Maria Bibi delivered a standout performance by setting a new national record in the women’s 5,000-metre race.

WAPDA collected 17 gold medals in the men’s events and 10 in the women’s competitions to finish at the top of the standings. The Navy secured second place with nine gold medals while the Higher Education Commission (HEC) finished third with eight.

Maria Bibi clocked 19 minutes and two seconds in the women’s 5,000m surpassing the previous national record of 19 minutes and 4.05 seconds established by Olympian Rabia Ashiq in 2012. WAPDA’s Nazia Ehsan claimed silver in 19:49.50 while HEC athlete Goonish Batool finished third in 20:10.80.

In the men’s 200m sprint, WAPDA’s Shajar Abbas won gold with a time of 20.75 seconds. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Attaullah finished second in 20.90 seconds while HEC’s Haseeb Ahmed took third place in 21.40 seconds.

HEC’s Khaula Umar Khan secured the women’s 200m title after completing the race in 24.80 seconds. Sindh’s Iqra Riaz earned silver, while WAPDA’s Malaika Shehzadi finished third.

Navy athlete Usman Ghani won the men’s high jump with a clearance of 1.96 metres. WAPDA’s Sohail Amir claimed the men’s 5,000m title in 15 minutes and 16.20 seconds.

The Navy won the men’s 4x100m relay in 42 seconds while WAPDA secured the women’s relay title with a time of 48.63 seconds.

WAPDA also collected gold medals in the men’s triple jump, hammer throw and several other field events. Navy’s Amtil Rehman emerged as one of the championship’s leading performers winning four gold medals while Shajar Abbas secured three.

The championship was held under the supervision of the Athletics Federation of Pakistan and organised by the Sindh Athletics Association with support from Lok Sahaita.