- By Ritesh Kumar
- Tue, 15 Aug 2023 07:18 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Niharika Kaurav, a distinguished Indian Karate player, who has proudly represented India on the international stage for an impressive 10 occasions. Her exceptional dedication and skill have resulted in the attainment of five prestigious medals at the international level. Notably, in the previous year, she secured a bronze medal in the senior category at the Commonwealth Championships 2022. Equally remarkable, she had achieved a gold medal in the junior category back in the 2015 Commonwealth Championships. Hailing from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, she is renowned as the ‘Iron Girl’ within the state. Niharika Kaurav's journey is one marked by consistent excellence and remarkable achievements in the world of karate.
In an exclusive interview with Jagran English, Indian Karate player Niharika Kaurav delves into her inspiring sports journey, discussing the hurdles she encountered along the way, her strategies for balancing studies and practice, potential career prospects, and valuable advice for budding athletes.
Q.) What has been your journey and experience within the field of Karate?
Ans) My journey began at the school's summer camp where my interest initially gravitated towards self-defense and achieving physical strength. This led me to embark on a dedicated path of self-defense training, which I pursued through martial arts. With each passing day, my commitment to this pursuit grew stronger, and I made the decision to engage in consistent training.
During the summer camp, it was my coach who recognised my potential and encouraged me to step onto a bigger stage. This pivotal moment arrived when I participated in the district championship for the first time. Coach Manoj Dwivedi's belief in me resonated deeply, as he suggested that I consider transforming my passion into a lifelong career but I didn't focus at that time. Observing my seniors get dressed in the Indian tracksuits representing India, I was profoundly inspired, and it was at that moment that I resolved to play for my country and represent it on a global stage. Since that day, I have remained dedicated to this goal, consistently participating in various events to make my dream a reality.
Q.) What objectives are you currently aiming to achieve in the near future?
Ans) My upcoming ambitions revolve around the Asian Games, as well as several world championships and international tournaments. Throughout these competitions, my primary objective is to secure gold medals for my nation. Notably, I am scheduled to participate in the World Senior Championship set for October in Budapest, Hungary, where I will proudly represent India within the 68-kilogram category.
Q) What is the story or background that led to your fame as "Iron Girl" in Madhya Pradesh?
Ans) Last year, I qualified for the Indian team in the Commonwealth Games, which turned out to be a significant moment. During that time, I had several interviews where I shared my stories of overcoming challenges. One of the media channels was so moved by my journey that they decided to call me "Iron Girl". They featured my entire life's journey, highlighting the struggles I faced since childhood. This name quickly caught on, and soon, all the TV channels and social media platforms were referring to me as "Iron Girl". And when I eventually won a medal, this name became even more popular.
Q.) What are the key aspects an athlete should focus on in order to maintain their fitness?
Ans) For athletes to stay fit, two main things are really important. First, they should eat a healthy diet and avoid fast food. Fast food can make them sick and cause different types of diseases. Second, athletes need to exercise regularly. This is important all the time, including during competitions. So, exercise and a good diet are key for athletes to stay in shape.
Q.) What challenges and difficulties are typically encountered throughout the entire journey?
Ans) There were many challenges during my journey, but my family supported me a lot. I was good in my studies, and my parent's main focus was on education. They used to say, "Show us good results in studies, and then we'll support your games." When I did well in my studies, they also supported my games. I come from a not-so-good society. While playing locally, there were no issues. However, when I progressed to state, national, and international levels, society and relatives began to voice concerns. They would ask, "Who will marry her?" or question why my parents let me go alone, fearing I might get hurt. Despite these negative comments, my family assured me they would handle them and advised me to concentrate on my game. I didn't let these things affect me; I stayed focused on my sport.
Q.) What societal changes have taken place as a result of winning numerous medals?
Ans) In our society, there have been significant changes, especially in a place like Bhind. Girls used to face numerous restrictions such as not being allowed to go outside, receiving education only up to the 12th grade, and being married off early. This was the prevailing mentality.
When I started pursuing sports, society's outlook was negative. However, as I began winning international medals and gaining fame, my name became well-known. This shift led society to start viewing me positively. They began appreciating me and even encouraged their children to aspire to be like me, referring to me as a role model.
Eventually, this positive change led to a transformation in their attitude toward girls participating in sports. Now, they actively support and encourage girls to engage in various sports. I've taken on the role of a coach and running an academy. Seeing my achievements, many girls from our society have joined the academy.
I feel a sense of fulfillment witnessing these improvements. It's heartening to see the positive shift in mindset and the growing opportunities for girls in our society.
Q.) How does the government provide support for your participation in both national and international games?
Ans) The government helps us sometimes, but it's usually just a small portion, around 10 per cent, of what we need. They're more supportive of certain sports than others. When we compete in big events like the World Championship or Asian Championship, we have to cover most of the costs ourselves up to lakhs. For training camps, diet, and equipment, which adds up to about 1 lakh. This is a big financial burden for me and my family, as we're from a middle-class background. My dad is a farmer and my mom is a teacher.
We don't get many sponsorships, and even though I participated in international tournaments last year, I didn't get any sponsorship help. Going to the World Championship is the most challenging. The biggest hurdle is gathering all that money only then can we concentrate on training. Now, the same situation is happening again because there's the World Championship in October. Things have become so tough that my dad even had to sell land, and now we're running out of things to sell.
Q.) How did you balance your studies while dedicating time to your practice?
Ans) Studying held the top spot in my family's priorities, which posed quite a challenge for me. My mother, a government teacher, placed studying first preference and other activities second. However, deep down, I nurtured the aspiration to represent India and to wear the national jersey.
I maintained a balance by studying intermittently and effectively managing my commitments. I recognised that in order to excel in my chosen sport, I needed to deliver commendable academic results as well. As my family observed my dedication yielding positive outcomes in my studies, they extended their support. This backing played a pivotal role in my decision to pursue a career in karate.
Q.) You provide training to aspiring karate athletes, what is your approach to their training?
Ans) At my academy, individuals ranging from 3 to 35 years old, encompassing both males and females, as well as kids and youths, partake in the training. We've designed a comprehensive schedule that caters to everyone's needs. Our team places special emphasis on nurturing kids and beginners, as they hold the potential to become the future stars of the sport.
Notably, a number of children from our training have earned spots in the junior India team. Additionally, one of our athletes has achieved the remarkable feat of securing a position in the senior India karate team.
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Q.) Is it possible for someone to pursue a full-time career in Karate? If someone is interested in building a career in Karate, how should they begin their journey?
Ans) Anyone with an interest in Karate can certainly opt for it as a career choice. Personally, I've received numerous offers through the sports quota, and I even received a job offer with an official joining letter.
Sports quotas are available in nearly all departments, although a few might not have them. If you perform well and consistently achieve national and international medals, you'll find that you don't need to search extensively; opportunities through the sports quota can come your way. In my case, I chose not to take up a job because my goal was to represent India and to coach upcoming athletes aiming for the same. This led me to establish an academy.
Beyond this, Karate can also open doors to careers in various departments like the income tax or police department, among others. By dedicating 4 to 5 years to continuous and dedicated training, you can secure a stable career path.
Q.) What advice would you offer to young athletes who aspire to excel in their chosen sport?
Ans) If someone is engaging in a game with the intention of pursuing it as a career, they must exhibit a high level of dedication to the endeavor. Demonstrating this commitment across any field generally yields favorable outcomes. Many players invest two hours into practice and devote an additional half-hour to training, often questioning the viability of a career. However, genuine dedication and appropriate time allocation invariably lead to positive results. This entails seeking guidance, acquiring comprehensive knowledge, and capitalising on the digital era's resources by conducting thorough research before embarking on any venture.
In the event that desired outcomes are not attained, it becomes crucial to assess whether the training efforts were sufficient. Victory and defeat both constitute integral facets of the game. Losses contribute to personal growth by highlighting areas for improvement. Such setbacks should serve as a foundation for restarting the journey with optimism, striving relentlessly to attain the desired objectives.
