Doha, Qatar | 14 October 2026
Qatar’s national padel team has made history at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games in Japan, with brothers Rashed and Mashari Nawaf claiming the first-ever men’s padel gold medal in Asian Games history.
The Qatari duo delivered an outstanding performance throughout the competition, completing an unbeaten campaign without dropping a single set. In the final, held on 3 October at the Nagoya City Higashi Sports Centre, they defeated Malaysia’s Aidan Yunus and Christian Chin in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1, securing a landmark victory for Qatar and its growing padel programme.
The achievement carries particular significance as padel made its official debut at the Asian Games in 2026, placing Qatar in the history books as the first nation to win the men’s gold medal in the sport.
An Unbeaten Journey to Gold
Rashed and Mashari demonstrated remarkable consistency and determination on their way to the title.
The brothers began their campaign with a straight-sets victory over Kuwait’s Abdulaziz Mayouf and Fouad Behbehani in the Round of 16, followed by another convincing win against the UAE’s Abdullah Al Abdullah and Fares Al Janahi in the quarter-finals.
They continued their impressive form in the semi-finals, overcoming Iran’s Hami Golestan and Arya Roghani before delivering a commanding performance against Malaysia in the gold-medal match.
Their achievement was celebrated in the presence of H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia and President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, who presented the champions with their gold medals.
A Proud Moment for Qatari Padel
H.E. Nasser bin Ghanim Al Khelaifi, President of the Qatar Tennis, Squash, Padel and Badminton Federation, praised the achievement as a historic milestone for Qatari sport, highlighting the development of padel in Qatar and the continued support provided to athletes by the country’s leadership.
Tareq Darwish Zainal, President of the Asian Padel Federation and Secretary-General of the Qatar Tennis, Squash, Padel and Badminton Federation, also expressed his pride in the historic victory, emphasizing that the gold medal reflects the sustained efforts to develop the sport in Qatar and strengthen the national team’s competitiveness on the international stage.
The victory represents an important milestone for the federation’s long-term commitment to developing padel, supporting national talent, and creating opportunities for Qatari athletes to compete at the highest level.
Champions Reflect on Historic Achievement
Following the victory, Rashed Nawaf expressed his pride in representing Qatar and securing the historic gold medal, dedicating the achievement to the country’s leadership and the people of Qatar.
He also thanked everyone who supported the team throughout its journey and reaffirmed his determination to continue achieving success and raising Qatar’s flag at future international competitions.
Mashari Nawaf described the achievement as an unforgettable moment, particularly as the brothers became the first men’s padel champions in Asian Games history.
He emphasized that the gold medal would serve as further motivation to continue working hard, improving their performance, and pursuing greater achievements in the years ahead.
Looking Ahead to Doha 2030
The historic victory comes at an important time for Qatar, as the country prepares to host the Asian Games in Doha in 2030.
With padel’s successful debut at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, the achievement marks an encouraging step forward for the sport in Qatar and across Asia.
The result also provides significant momentum as Qatar prepares to welcome the international padel community for the FIP World Cup Qatar 2026, scheduled for 2–7 November at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha.
As Qatar continues to invest in the development of padel and its athletes, the Nawaf brothers’ historic triumph stands as a proud moment for Qatari sport and an inspiration for the next generation of players.
The first men’s padel gold medal in Asian Games history belongs to Qatar.
