Pakistan grappler Waleed Ali Klair wins gold at NAGA Championship in New Jersey
Pakistan grappler Waleed Ali Klair wins gold at NAGA Championship in New Jersey
LAHORE: Pakistan’s emerging ju-jitsu and grappling athlete Waleed Ali Klair has created history by winning a gold medal at the NAGA Battle at the Beach Grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Wildwood, New Jersey.
Klair delivered an outstanding performance at the event, which brought together hundreds of competitors at the Wildwoods Convention Center on August 1 and 2.
The North American Grappling Association (NAGA) describes its tournaments as among the largest mixed grappling competitions in the world, with more than 700,000 competitors having participated globally.
Klair became the first Pakistani jju-jjitsu athlete to win a gold medal at the NAGA Battle at the Beach, marking a significant milestone for Pakistan’s grappling community.
The Pakistani athlete was particularly impressive in the final, displaying composure, technique and determination before securing victory through a Kesa Gatame submission in just 40 seconds. His commanding finish capped a memorable campaign and underlined his growing credentials on the international grappling circuit.
The Battle at the Beach championship features both Gi and No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling divisions, attracting competitors across different ages and skill levels.
NAGA lists the Wildwood tournament among its major annual events. Klair’s achievement has been hailed as an important milestone for Pakistani jju-jjitsu, a discipline that continues to seek greater recognition and development at home and abroad. His success also provides encouragement to young Pakistani athletes aspiring to compete internationally.
The achievement has generated pride among Pakistan’s sporting fraternity, with congratulations pouring in for Klair and his family.
His victory not only adds another international success to Pakistan’s growing martial-arts profile but also demonstrates the potential of Pakistani athletes in disciplines beyond traditional mainstream sports.
With his historic NAGA gold now secured, Waleed Ali Klair hoped that the triumph becomes a springboard for further international success and inspires a new generation of Pakistani grapplers to pursue excellence on the world stage.
