Priyamvada wins bagful of medals

by Shrutee K/DNS

Mumbai: Making the correct decision is very important for youngsters to pick and choose a sport of their liking in which they can participate, compete and excel. Young Priyamvad Maurya faced a similar situation when she switched schools and had to choose from skating, dancing and karate as an activity in school. The 14-year-old Priyamvada, loves dancing but was keen on a physical activity and without much hesitation opted for karate and in a short span of time has created a niche for herself.

A student of New Horizon School, Thane, Priyamvada, who started learning karate in July, 2013, has already excelled in the sport winning a clutch of 29 medals and trophies at domestic, national (state and all-India) and international competitions.

“After joining my new school I was told to choose an activity. Since I already liked dancing and wanted to do something more interesting I decided to go for karate. I am happy to choose Karate as it has given me the self-confidence and has made me bold and courageous, which is very important for us young girls in the country,” pointed out the young Priyamvada, who had earlier studied at Saraswati Vidyalaya School, Thane. Priyamvada, picked up the basics at school under the guidance of the husband and wife team of Sandeep and Deepali Surve, both renowned coaches and karate champions. Having fallen in love with karate, Priyamvada began training at the Sun Bright Budokan Karate Academy, Thane with the Surve’s. The young girl has made mother Vandana and father Ramji very proud parents with her achievements, the latest by winning the gold medals in both Kumite and kata in the girls’ under-15 category in the 2016 Budokan Cup Karate International Invitational Tournament in Dubai late last month.

The class X student, Priyamvada had also came out with flying colours in the KBI Asia Karate Championship in Hyderabad in December last year. She picked up golds in kumite (under-15), kata (under-15), kumite (under-15, under-17 team event) and also bagged the Championship Trophy (kumite under-15, under-17). Coach Sandeep Surve stated that Priyamvada’s dedication and hard work is reaping her rich rewards. “Priyamvada is talented youngster who picked up the sport quickly and is one my best student. She is totally dedicated, determined and does not shirk away from training and these qualities make her standout from the other kids,” said Surve. “She has also learned how to handle pressure and during competitions she shows tremendous confidence and does not show any signs of nervousness. That is mainly the reason why she has been so successful in tournaments in India and abroad.

Priyamvada is now working hard in preparation for the 2016 WKO (World Kumite Organization) Junior World Cup to be held in Okinawa, Japan in July-August this year and coach Sandeep believes that she would makes us proud. “Despite being in the final year at school, which is very important, she trains regularly and is preparing well for the competitions and I have full faith that she will do very well,” opined Sandeep.