Pakistan’s talented triathlete Shahrez Khan, nephew of former prime minister Imran Khan, has achieved a major milestone by qualifying for the prestigious Ironman 70.3 World Championship, set to take place on November 9, 2025, in Marbella, Spain.
Shahrez will represent Pakistan among the world’s top endurance athletes, becoming only the second Pakistani ever to qualify for the global event, the first being Khurram Khan.
The Lahore-born athlete secured his qualification after finishing seventh at the Ironman 70.3 race in Puerto Princesa, Philippines, which included 1.9 km swimming, 90 km cycling, and 21.1 km running.
Speaking about his achievement, Shahrez said crossing the finish line and learning that he had qualified was “a moment beyond words.”
Remarkably, Shahrez currently ranks among the top 5 percent of athletes worldwide in the All-World Athlete category.
A former Aitchison College student, he has showcased his athletic talent in athletics, football, and swimming before pursuing higher education at the University of Western Ontario and Oxford University, where he was part of the Said Business School’s cross-country team.
He now serves as the Head of the Middle East and North Africa region for Samba Global.
Shahrez’s Ironman journey began in 2022 with a half marathon in Islamabad. Although swimming and running came naturally to him, cycling was a new challenge. He trained rigorously in Lahore, setting up an indoor training zone at home and practicing at Bagh-e-Jinnah and DHA Phase 7.
He credits his training partner RD Rizwan Aftab Ahmed for playing a crucial role in his journey. Together, they have been guiding young Pakistani athletes and organizing cross-country camps at Aitchison College to promote endurance sports.
Shahrez said, “We want to inspire a generation stuck in a sedentary lifestyle. Sports teach not just physical fitness but also mental strength and discipline.” Despite the lack of infrastructure for triathlon in Pakistan, he dreams of hosting international-level endurance races in the country one day.
In December 2024, Shahrez made headlines for his impressive performances in Ironman races held in Luxembourg, Turkey, New Zealand, and South Africa.