Chennai: Ilakkia, the eldest daughter of parents who are both daily-wageworkers at the Koyambedu wholesale market, has won gold medals in the International Open Karate Championship held at Malaysia recently.
Ilakkia participated in the Ipoh City International Karate Championship 2019 and Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate Championship-2019 in May with financial assistance from various private organisations and philanthropists.
There were 21 others in the contingent and Ilakkia was one among the four girls who went from Tamilnadu. Eight countries participated in these events and Ilakkia bagged two medals – in under-17 Katta and another gold in the Fight category by defeating her Canadian rival.
Speaking to the press later, Ilakkia said she wants to make the country proud by winning gold in Olympics. She said that if the Tamilnadu government helps her, she could achieve more for the country. Ilakkia hails from Pilimisai, a sleepy village in Perambalur district. She is settled in Chennai with her parents and studies class seven in a school in Kodambakkam.