In a historic moment for Indian sport, 7-year-old Tajamul Islam is all set to feature at the World Kickboxing Championships that will be held in Italy in July. Hailing from Tarkpora village in the northern part of Kashmir, she won the gold in the sub-junior National Kickboxing Championships that was held in Delhi last year.
That performance has helped the girl get an entry into the competition that will be held in Andria in November. On receiving the good news, she expressed happiness and also spoke about how her parents reacted to the news.
“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. My father, whom I spoke to on phone, told me that I will get a treat once I reach home and I was treated with my favourite Biryani,” she said.
At the Nationals, Tajamul was pitted against a 13-year-old and she admitted that the prospect did frighten her a bit, but she decided to remain calm and give her best.
“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,” Tajamul said.
“I want to win the international championship for my family and my school. I have some amount of fear as I think what will the international players do to me in the ring, but then I know I will knock down everyone,” she added.
She is the first ever Kashmiri girl to qualify for the competition.
