WAHEEDA : AN ACHIEVER
12-year old Waheeda from Kupwara, Kashmir, has become the very first Kashmiri girl to represent India at the World Boxing Championship held in Italy. Waheeda won national recognition when she bagged the gold medal in the sub-junior category at the 2015 National Boxing Championship, held at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi. Her achievement at the national level got her an entry to the World Championship, held at Andria, Italy.
Waheeda recollects “I felt so happy that I won and would be going to Italy. My mother, who was with me in Delhi, told me, that is how you play and knock down your opponent”. Waheeda’s journey started in 2014 when she joined a local academy, which trains young boys and girls in martial arts. Waheeda further added that “I was walking near the stadium here when I saw many young boys and girls training. I saw them punching and sweating and told my father that I want to join them and he allowed me”.
She was declared the best fighter of Jammu and Kashmir after she won the state level championship held in Jammu. She took home the gold medal. The chief coach at the championship, Kuldip Handu, impressed with her skills, made her fight against a competitor weighing eight kgs more than her. The lean but agile Waheeda, weighing just 32 kgs at that time, knocked down her opponent. The win at the state-level championship earned her a place at the 2015 National Boxing Championship in New Delhi. Despite boxing not being her forte, Waheeda, a student of sixth standard, participated in the championship.
Her opponent was older and bulky but that did not deter Waheeda from knocking her down and in just 15 minutes thus becoming the youngest girl to win a national medal. “I was a little afraid when I saw her (opponent). But then I said to myself that age or body structure does not matter. I will remain focused and give my best shot,” Waheeda said. Waheeda is a hero in her village and school. And such achievements also act as catalyst for the rest of the population in the valley and motivate them to hone on their skills at a younger age and pursue their dreams.
