City girl Syeda Falak has been selected to represent India in the Al Ahli International Karate Championship to be held in Dubai from January 31 to February 2.Falak, a first year degree student of Villa Marie College, has a terrific record of winning nine international titles besides 15 national titles in different categories.
Right now, this 18-year-old gifted karateka, trained by Nagendra Babu at home (even as her first coach Balram Rajput also chips in frequently), is gunning for a berth in the 2014 Asian Games.Supported by her businessman father S. S. Majaz-ul-Haq, Falak dreams of standing on the medal podium in the next Asiad.
Only last October, Falak delighted Bollywood star Akshay Kumar with her demonstrations. In fact in his presence, this Hyderabadi karate sensation scripted a golden finish in the annual Akshay Kumar Invitational Karate Meet in Mumbai.
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“Yes, that win in Mumbai was a big morale-booster as it came in front of Akshay Sir, who is himself an expert in martial arts. His encouraging words still ring in my ears,” recalls Falak.
Eligible for senior category
Importantly, Falak now competes in the 68 kg category and is eligible only for the senior category. This could be a huge relief for competitors in the junior section even while meaning more trouble for those lined up to take her on in the seniors.
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Clearly she is in the mood to script bigger moments of triumph on the international stage in the days to come for she has that innate urge to be a different from the rest of the crowd.