They left the shores almost unnoticed and came back with a highly creditable three silver and a bronze. From the indoor hall of YMCA Okinawa Martial Arts Academy in Secunderabad to the London World Championship and back home with medals, it has been a memorable journey for karatekas – Sharath Verma (silver in 75 kg category), Tatikonda Kinshuk (silver in below 50 kg), M. Mohit (silver in the 25 kg for under-10 age group) and V. Saketh (bronze in the below 55 kg for under-16 years).
By virtue of being national champions in their respective categories, the karatekas found their way into the Indian team. In fact, four of the five-member squad hail from the city with the fifth being Aashmi Ashishe of Odisha (a silver medalist) and training here for the last few weeks under the tutelage of Grand Master S. Srinivasan and C.S. Shihan Sai Kumar.
Though there were very few to acknowledge their feat in the corridors of AP Olympic Bhavan in the city when they came a few days ago, it did not seem to matter to them. “This performance comes as a huge morale-booster for all those passionate about martial arts. We have a membership of over two lakh across India and about 100 in and around the city,” says Mr. Srinivasan.
Mr. Sai Kumar is grateful to Mahesh Kumar Goud, chief of the newly-formed Telangana Karate Federation, for getting financial help to Kinshuk.
