Qatar Celebrate Historic Asian Games Golds as Doha 2030 Journey Begins

Alkass English

Team Qatar celebrated a memorable day at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games on Saturday, securing two gold medals and a bronze as the country continued to shine across multiple sports.

Rashid Nawaf and Mishari Nawaf made history by winning the first-ever Asian Games gold medal in padel, while Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan retained Qatar’s beach volleyball title for a third consecutive edition. Wrestler Shaheen Mohammed also claimed bronze in the men’s 77kg Greco-Roman competition.

The achievements were celebrated at Qatar House in Nagoya in the presence of senior Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) officials, athletes and members of the national delegation.

The latest medals brought Qatar’s overall tally to 16, comprising five gold, six silver and five bronze.

Nawaf Brothers Make Padel History

Rashid and Mishari Nawaf delivered a commanding performance to defeat Malaysia’s Christian Chin and Aidan Yunus 6-3, 6-1 in the men’s padel final, securing the inaugural gold medal in the sport’s Asian Games history.

The victory marked a significant milestone for Qatar’s padel programme and reflected the country’s continued investment in developing the sport and preparing athletes for international competition.

Tareq Darwish Zainal, President of the Asian Padel Federation and Secretary-General of the Qatar Tennis, Squash, Padel and Badminton Federation, described the triumph as an extraordinary achievement.

He congratulated Qatar’s leadership, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia and the Qatar Olympic Committee, and the Qatari people on the historic success.

Zainal also praised the efforts behind the development of padel in Qatar, expressing confidence that the achievement would inspire further success in the years ahead.

Both champions expressed their pride at making history on the sport’s Asian Games debut.

Rashid Nawaf said the gold medal represented the culmination of their hard work throughout the competition. He thanked everyone who supported the team and dedicated the achievement to Qatar’s leadership and people, adding that the pair hoped to continue raising the national flag at future international events.

Mishari Nawaf echoed those sentiments, describing the victory as a source of immense pride. He said the historic gold would motivate him to continue improving and pursuing further success while representing Qatar on the international stage.

Beach Volleyball Champions Extend Their Dominance

Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan strengthened their position among Asia’s leading beach volleyball teams by winning a third consecutive Asian Games gold medal.

The Qatari duo defeated Indonesia’s Sufyan Rahman Effendi and Bintang 2-1 in the final to retain the title they first won at Jakarta-Palembang 2018 and successfully defended at Hangzhou 2022.

The latest triumph underlined Qatar’s sustained excellence in the sport and its ability to maintain the highest standards across successive editions of the continental competition.

Ali bin Ghanem Al Kuwari, President of the Qatar Volleyball Association, expressed his delight at the historic achievement, describing it as a reflection of Qatar’s strong standing in Asian beach volleyball.

He stressed that the team’s continued success was the result of sustained development, careful planning and strong support for the sport.

Al Kuwari added that Qatar would continue building on its achievements, with the aim of securing further titles and representing the country with distinction at international competitions.

Shaheen Mohammed Adds Wrestling Bronze

Qatar’s medal-winning performances also included Shaheen Mohammed’s bronze medal in the men’s 77kg Greco-Roman wrestling competition.

Shaheen secured his place on the podium by defeating Indonesia’s Andika Sulaiman, adding another medal to Qatar’s growing tally at the Games.

His achievement further highlighted the breadth of Qatar’s sporting progress, with national athletes delivering strong results across a range of disciplines.

Reem Al Sharshani Elected to OCA Athletes’ Committee

Meanwhile, Qatari shooter Reem Al Sharshani was elected as the West Asia representative on the Olympic Council of Asia’s Athletes’ Committee during elections held alongside the Games in Japan.

Her four-year term will run from 2026 to 2030, marking another significant milestone for Qatari sport and strengthening the country’s representation within continental sporting institutions.

The appointment reflects the growing presence of Qatari athletes in regional sports governance and their contribution beyond competition.

Qatar Looks Ahead to Doha 2030

As the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games draw to a close, attention is turning towards Doha, which will host the next edition of Asia’s premiermulti-sport event in 2030.

Qatar is set to receive the Olympic Council of Asia flag during Sunday’s closing ceremony, officially marking the beginning of the next phase of preparations for the 21st Asian Games.

The handover carries particular significance as it comes 20 years after Doha hosted the Asian Games for the first time in 2006.

Qatar’s preparations will build on its extensive experience in organising major international sporting events, supported by established sports infrastructure and world-class venues. Sustainability and the effective use of existing facilities are also expected to play a central role in the planning process.

During their time in Japan, members of the Doha 2030 Asian Games Organising Committee delegation participated in the observer programme, gaining valuable insight into the operational and organisational aspects of hosting the continental event.

The experience is expected to support Qatar’s preparations as it works towards delivering another successful edition of the Games.

With the Asian Games returning to Doha in four years, Qatar aims to build on the legacy of the 2006 edition and deliver an outstanding event that showcases the country’s organisational capabilities, sporting infrastructure and commitment to excellence.

As Team Qatar celebrates its latest achievements in Japan, the focus is already shifting towards a new chapter in the nation’s sporting journey, culminating in the return of the Asian Games to Doha in 2030.