Muhammad Karim (skier)
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 May 1995 (age 30) |
| Height | 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)[1] |
| Weight | 64 kg (141 lb)[1] |
Muhammad Karim (born 1 May 1995) is a Pakistani alpine skier and a four-time Olympian. He became the second Pakistani to participate in a Winter Olympics when he competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. He participated in the giant slalom event and got a rank of 71.[2][3][4][5] He competed at the 2018 Winter Olympics in slalom event, becoming the first Pakistani to do so at the Olympics.[6] He also participated in the giant slalom and secured a rank of 72. He also competed in the slalom event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and slalom event at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics.[7][8]
Career
Muhammad Karim grew up in the snowy mountains of Naltar, where resources were scarce. His natural talent was noticed early. In 2006 with the support of the Pakistan Air Force, he was sent to Japan and Austria for professional training. This exposure played a key role in shaping his international career. His first major international appearance came in 2011 at the South Asian Winter Games. Over the years, Muhammad Karim has competed in 53 international events. He has won 11 international medals, including five gold, four silver, and two bronze medals. At the national level, he has secured 28 gold medals. These achievements make him Pakistan’s most successful athlete in winter sports. During the 2013/2014 season, he participated in FIS events held in Iran and Turkey. His best finishes were 13th in giant slalom and 18th in Slalom.[9]
Winter Olympics
2014 Winter Olympics
Karim placed 71st out of 109 athletes in the giant slalom event at the Sochi Olympics with a time of 3:27.41[10]
2018 Winter Olympics
Karim ranked 72 in the giant slalom event at the PyeongChang Olympics with a time of 2:54.04. He also became the first Pakistani Winter Olympian to compete in the slalom event and registered a DNF.[11]
2022 Winter Olympics
Karim competed in the slalom event at the Beijing Olympics and recorded a DNF.[7]
2026 Winter Olympics
Pakistan’s sole athlete at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Muhammad Karim, failed to complete his first run in the men’s Alpine skiing slalom at the Stelvio Ski Centre, registering a DNF and ending his campaign early.[12]
Asian Winter Games
2017 Asian Winter Games
In 2017, he was named to Pakistan's Asian Winter Games team. He competed in the alpine skiing slalom and giant slalom events at the 2017 Asian Winter Games.[13]
2025 Asian Winter Games
Karim represented Pakistan at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in the Men's slalom event.[14]
Flag bearer
Muhammad Karim has carried the Pakistani flag at four Olympic Games, the most by any Pakistani Olympian in both the Winter and Summer Olympics. He was the flag bearer for Pakistan in the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 Winter Olympics.[7] He was also the country's opening ceremony flagbearer at the 2025 Asian Winter Games.[15]
See also
- List of flag bearers for Pakistan at the Olympics
- Pakistan at the 2014 Winter Olympics
- Pakistan at the 2018 Winter Olympics
- Pakistan at the 2022 Winter Olympics
- Pakistan at the 2026 Winter Olympics
- Pakistan at the 2017 Asian Winter Games
- Pakistan at the 2025 Asian Winter Games
References
- ^ a b "Muhammad Karim". Sochi 2014 Olympics. Archived from the original on 5 July 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
- ^ "Pakistan ski team qualify for 2014 Winter Olympics". Dawn. 8 April 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- ^ "Pakistani skiers qualify for Olympic winter games-2014". Global Post. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
- ^ Raheel, Natasha (29 December 2013). "Pakistan may miss Winter Olympics 2014". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- ^ Raheel, Natasha (31 January 2014). "Karim to represent Pakistan in Winter Olympics". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
- ^ Raheel, Natasha (18 February 2018). "Winter Games: Pakistan skiers unable to inspire". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
- ^ a b c "Muhammad Karim". Olympedia. OlyMADMen. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ https://www.thejuggernaut.com/south-asian-athletes-winter-olympics-2026?u=be3d40e4-9167-4909-83fb-fe1a35692f3e
- ^ https://www.app.com.pk/featured/muhammad-karim-from-naltar-bala-gilgit-to-olympics-a-proud-story-of-pakistan/
- ^ "Giant slalom". Sochi 2014 Olympics. Archived from the original on 19 March 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2014.
- ^ "Men's Giant Slalom results". PyeongChang 2018 Olympics. 18 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- ^ https://minutemirror.com.pk/muhammad-karim-faces-early-exit-at-2026-winter-olympics-after-dnf-in-slalom-507328/
- ^ Raheel, Natasha (11 February 2017). "Jan dominates as Army clinch ski championship". The Express Tribune. Karachi, Pakistan. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
- ^ "Asian Winter Games' squad finalised". The News International. Karachi, Pakistan. 11 January 2025. Archived from the original on 11 January 2025. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
- ^ @asiangamesoca; (7 February 2025). "Today is the day! Meet the flag bearers who will proudly carry the flags of their NOCs at today's Harbin Asian Winter Games Opening Ceremony! With 34 NOCs represented by both male and female athletes, it's a powerful moment of unity and equality. Just a few more hours to go! Are you excited or super excited?" – via Instagram.