The Andaman and Nicobar Islands registered a proud moment on the national stage after their karate contingent bagged ten medals at the National Karate Championship held at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi. The achievement was celebrated on the islands when Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray felicitated the winning athletes, describing their performance as a source of pride and inspiration for the Union Territory.
The team’s medal tally included four gold, four silver, and two bronze medals. The winners were Jai Shree, V. Shanti, Ranjana, Shafiq Sheikh, Rahul Halder, Prabhakar, Kiran Kumar, and Davesh Ram. Their display of skill, strength, and discipline underscored the growing prominence of martial arts in the islands and reflected the athletes’ ability to compete at par with the best in the country.
Felicitating the team, Bishnu Pada Ray commended the athletes for their dedication and perseverance, qualities he said were central to their sporting success. He observed that their medals were not just a personal triumph but a collective honour for the islands, capable of inspiring a new generation of youth to engage in sports. By excelling on the national stage, the karate champions have highlighted the potential of Andaman and Nicobar’s young talent and the importance of nurturing sporting disciplines beyond mainstream games.
The event also became a moment to recognise the contributions of Master Dr. M.D. Selvam, who has devoted more than 35 years to promoting martial arts and sports development in the islands. Bishnu Pada Ray praised Dr. Selvam’s selfless service and his pivotal role in training and mentoring young karatekas who have gone on to achieve national recognition. The acknowledgment of his work underlined the importance of grassroots coaching and sustained mentorship in shaping sporting talent.
The felicitation highlighted how success in disciplines such as karate requires years of rigorous practice, discipline, and institutional support. It also drew attention to the growing relevance of martial arts in the islands as both a competitive sport and a means of personal development for the youth. Karate, which blends physical skill with mental focus, has become a channel for many young islanders to build confidence, resilience, and sporting ambition.
Observers noted that the athletes’ achievements come at a time when the islands are working to broaden sporting opportunities and infrastructure. While mainstream sports often attract the most attention, performances like these showcase the need to extend support to lesser-known disciplines that have the potential to put the islands on the national map.
By felicitating the medal winners, the Member of Parliament reinforced the message that the community stands behind its athletes. The gesture also served as a call to institutions, schools, and local organisations to recognise and encourage young talent in the islands. Recognition at such levels not only motivates athletes but also validates the work of coaches and mentors who devote their lives to developing sport at the grassroots.
For the medal winners, the honour is both a culmination of years of training and a stepping stone to future competitions. Their success, built on perseverance and the guidance of mentors like Dr. Selvam, is being seen as a promising sign for the islands’ sporting future.
As the athletes return home, their ten-medal haul at the National Karate Championship stands as a milestone for the Union Territory, proving that talent from the islands can shine brightly on the national stage when given the opportunity and support.
