History created by an Indian karateka at the World Karate Championship event in Jakarta

Report by Dipak Kumar Shaw

“Dreams do come true.” – This quote is proven time and again. And when it comes to a sport like Karate, it is always proven with lot of perseverance, determination, and grit.

Pranay Sharma, a young Delhi based karateka, has shown the way to the millions of karatekas that, dreams do come true. He has engraved his name in golden words by becoming the first ever Indian karateka to win a Gold Medal in a World Karate Championship event organised by the World Karate Federation (WKF).

Taking part in the Karate 1 Series A, a prestigious event of WKF, in Jakarta (Indonesia) from 18^th to 20^th November 2022, Pranay defeated Davyd Yanovsky of Ukraine (3-2) in the finals of Kumite -67kgs to win the first ever medal for India in the WKF organised Tournaments.

Amidst tough competition from Hiroki Nakano from Japan in the semi-final, Pranay overcame the 3-3 score to reach the historical feat. Before that he defeated players from Turkey (3-1), England (4-1), Australia (5-2) and Indonesia (7-0) to become the Champion.

It is the belief and determination of the Mentor of Karate India Organisation (KIO), Hanshi Bharat Sharma, that has made all the karatekas in India feel, through Pranay, that they all can believe in themselves to win accolades at the world stage.

Pranay’s father, Hanshi Bharat Sharma, has left no stone unturned for his son to make him reach this height. He has spent lot of time and money along with his devotion towards the game, by sending his son to many foreign countries to train under the aegis of world-renowned coaches and trainers for several months. Afterall, it is always said that training, hard work and determination helps one reach its goal.

In a small token of appreciation to Pranay Sharma, Karate Do Association of Bengal (KAB), under the leadership of Hanshi Premjit Sen (President) and Hanshi Joydeb Mondal (General Secretary), has decided to shower their blessings by giving a sum of Rs. 51000/- for his historical feat.