Chennai: At 15 years of age, V Tharun, a resident of West Mambalam, is now a member of the World Karate Federation and Sport Accord and International World Games Association.
Tharun started his journey in karate in 2014 at the All India Kenshukai Isshinryu Karate Club and was trained by Kyoshi Rajkumar.
His mastery of the martial art earned him the opportunity to participate in the first State karate championship organised by Learn to Win – Martial Art School.
He won a silver medal in kumite (fighting) and this was his maiden achievement. The same year, he also participated in the State-level championship organised by the Zen Isshinryu Karate Association and won a silver medal in kumite and bronze medal in kata.
The year 2019 proved to be a turning point in Tharun’s life. He participated in a State-level karate championship held in Cuddalore and bagged two gold medals.
He was then selected for the Indo-Malaysia International Karate Championship 2019 held in Thoothukudi and won a gold medal in Cadet Kumite and a silver medal in kata organised by the Government of India and KAI (Karate Association of India).
Later, he was selected for the International Karate Championship where nine countries took part in which he won a gold medal in kumite and a bronze in kata.
Tharun also won gold medal in kumite in the 1st WSKF South Asian Karate Championship – 2019 held at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Chennai on 4 and 5 May, organised by The World Shotokan Karate Do Federation of India.
Tharun said he is very passionate about karate and boxing.
“Apart from karate, I have received many prizes in carrom, kho-kho, obstacle race, football and shot put besides being good in academics by scoring good marks. All my achievements are only because of the support given by my parents, relatives, teachers and friends . All of them play an important role in my life. They have encouraged me a lot to succeed in karate,” he said.
Speaking about his plans for the future, he said he would like to participate in the upcoming world tournaments and to get selected in Olympics and Asian games.
He said his ambition was to become a Major in the Indian Army and serve the country.
Tharun can be reached at 94883 86526.