Students to participate in the World Gojukai Karate Championships

They might still be in school, but are aiming pretty big. Twenty students from West Bengal will represent India at the World Gojukai Karate Championships 2013 to be held in Mumbai between December 9-18. The 10-day meet will have over 1,500 participants fighting it out, literally.
The Kolkata contingent comprises students from schools like Don Bosco, Calcutta Boys, Calcutta Girls, Apeejay School, Laxmipat Singhania Academy, St Thomas Boys, St Thomas Girls and Mahadevi Birla among others.While the youngest participant is in Class V, the oldest is in Class XII.
Led by coach Shishan Lalit Kumar Shaw, the team has been training since they were selected a year back for this championship. "The competition is being held in India for the first time and 40 countries will participate in it. We have a bunch of really disciplined and enthusiastic kids who come all the way to Salt Lake Stadium from school to train under me, manager Sensei Pradip Kumar Shaw and referee Dipak Kumar Shaw," says the coach.
Interestingly, students like Nayab Ashraf (Class IX) and Duke Pande (Class IX) are not only preparing themselves for the competition, but also training others.
"I've seen 80% rise in the number of enrolments in martial arts in recent times. Even our CM Mamata Banerjee has personally told me that she wants us to train as many students as possible in self defence. I'm hopeful that this World Championship will help spread awareness about martial arts which also helps children focus better and fight ailments like asthma and paralysis," coach adds.
One of the participants, Lakshmipat Singhania's Class X student Anjani Kumar Jajodia, shares his reason for learning self defence. "I don't like to hear complaints about how unsafe Kolkata is for women. At a workshop held in school, we were told 51% boys are also victims of sexual abuse. So, we want to equip students to deal with the menace out there. We want Kolkata to be safe again," he says.
"Karate teaches you to be disciplined. I've overcome my temper problem, thanks to karate," says Ananya Maity from St Thomas Girls. While Paulami Sarkar, from the same school, has also learnt to manage her anger better, karate has helped Calcutta Girls School's Camelia Chowdhury more outgoing. "I used to be so shy earlier. I'm a lot more confident now," Camelia quips.
But it's not the desire to win the championship that's driving these children now - it's the pride of representing the country that has these small wonders all thrilled.