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Saleem Javed won the Gold Medal in International Karate Championship in 2011 held at Dhaka, Bangladesh. He’s been practicing Karate for 8 years and is employed under Manipal University as Fitness Trainer and also works for a School as Karate Instructor under the Dept of Physical Education. Here’s a list of his awards:
# Gold Medalist in Dhaka,Bangladesh in 2011.
# Silver Medalist in Asian Championship held in Andra Pradesh in 2008.
# Total 4 Medals representing India in International Championship.
# 7 Times National Gold Medalist.
# 13 Times State Gold Medalist.
# Young Achiever Award 2008.
# Nausainik Achiever 2008.
# Awarded BLACK BELT by All India Budokon Karate Federation(AIBKF) in 2009.
# Emerging Sportsperson of the Year Award 2010.
# Talent Milad Award 2011.
# District Sports Award 2011.
# Chief Minister’s Honour.
Saleem is also pursuing his Masters in English Literature under Vinayaks Missions University, Chennai. He was recently in conversation with Sportskeeda:
You have already won a large number of medals and trophies. Each of one of these that you have won for India must be so very special to you?
Yes of course. It’s very very special and I feel blessed to represent my country.
You have been felicitated by some big names, the most recent being the Honourable Chief Minister of Karnataka. Do you think on the whole, the recognition given to young achievers in sports such as yourself is gradually improving in India?
Yes definitely. Recognition is important for sportspersons and helps them get wide publicity of their achievements. This(increasing recognition) is a recent development I have seen among the sportpersons.
The general perception in India is that a successful career in sports and academics do not go hand in hand, and yet you have made sure that you advanced academically, even pursuing your higher studies. How much dedication and discipline does this sort of multitasking demand?
I never wanted either studies or sports to be disturbed by the other because I believed both are important to be successful in life. I managed to deal with both separately and have been successful in it.
What has been your journey from being a boy with big dreams and high hopes to actually making it this far?
I started with a very small aim of representing my district in State levels and then realized my potential. I worked hard with determination and I’m happy that I have got the chance to serve my nation in my very little way.
How difficult is it to overcome injuries and stay fit in a sport like Karate?
Injuries are always there in every sports but when it comes to sports like Judo, Taewando, Boxing and Karate, it gets more intense. I have been the victim of many injuries throughout my journey but at same time, assured myself to stay fit and healthy, overcoming injuries at times.
Unfortunately, Karate has only got an outside chance to be included in Rio 2016 but you must be pretty confident that it will make the cut for 2020 as an Olympic Sport?
There has been a lot of talk about Karate being introduced in the upcoming Rio Olympics. I’m not sure when it will be introduced exactly, whether 2016 or 2020, but my focus will be on the sport continuously.
Until then you’ve got other big tournaments to focus on like the Incheon Asian Games in 2014?
It’s great to know that Karate has been included in the Incheon Games. There will be qualification matches and I’m looking forward to it.
Not just a sport, Karate is an extremely effective form of self defence in real life situations. How important is it for youngsters, especially girls, to have some training in martial arts such as Karate?
Yes it’s true. Karate, apart from being a sport, is an art of self defence. It’s very important, especially for girls, to learn this form of self defence to be safe. It’s great that nowadays Karate has become a compulsory subject in many schools as well.
Finally, a word to all our readers as to what they can expect from India’s Karate champion Saleem Javed over the next couple of years.
Presently, I am focusing on the Asian Championship in Delhi this November. I can say that I am practicing really hard to crack some future games and make my country proud.
Know more about Saleem Javed and follow him here
