New Delhi, 08 March (H.S.): Shashikala Maurya, karate athlete from Dinapur village in Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh, aspires to secure additional international medals for India, targeting stellar performances at World Championships, Asian Championships, Asian Games, and Olympics to elevate the nation's prestige worldwide.
Today, Shashikala embodies inspiration for youth, particularly girls, through her perseverance, diligence, and accolades amid resource scarcity and economic hardship.
An ordinary daughter of garland-seller Omprakash Maurya, she sustains family from limited earnings while funding her karate pursuits.Her sporting odyssey commenced modestly: During composite school, a teacher's coaching drew her via a peer, leading to coach Arvind Maurya's mentorship and competition entries.
Karate's allure solidified it as her life's ambition. Economic pressures challenged tournament fees, kits, and travel, yet her regimen—morning flower-picking, garland-making, 20-30 km academy commutes—remained resolute.
Crediting father and coach supremely, Shashikala notes paternal defiance against societal norms and coach's holistic support as pivotal.
National triumphs since 2018:
2018 Sub-Junior National Karate Championship (New Delhi): Silver (Kumite)
2019 Sub-Junior National (New Delhi): Bronze (Kumite)
2019 North India Zonal (Dehradun): Silver (Kumite), Bronze (Kata)
2023 Cadet & Junior National (Dehradun): Gold (Kumite & Kata)
2023-24 67th National School Games (Ludhiana): Gold (Kumite)2024 National (Dehradun): Silver (Junior Kata)
2025 All India University Kickboxing (Meerut): Silver2026 National (New Delhi): Silver (Kata)
Internationally: 2023 21st Asian Cadet/Junior/U-21 (Almaty, Kazakhstan): India representation (Junior Kata); 7th South Asian (Kathmandu, Nepal): Silver (Kumite)—life's most cherished milestone.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
