Nadine Osman

An 8-year old Kashmiri girl made history by winning the gold for India in the World Kick Boxing Championship in South Italy’s Andria earlier this month.

Tajamul Islam defeated her rival from the United States in the under 8’s category to become the world champion in the kick boxing championship. She is first such player to achieve the feat from the volatile Kashmir Valley.

Hailing from Tarkpora village of Bandipora, 65kms from Srinagar, Islam is now a hero in her village and school Army Goodwill School in Bandipora.

Islam’s journey started in 2014 when she joined a local academy, which trains young boys and girls in martial arts.

“I was walking near the stadium here when I saw many young boys and girls training. I saw them punching and all that and told my father that I want to join them and he let me,” said Islam

Islam won recognition in India when she bagged the gold at the National Kickboxing Championship, held in New Delhi last year.

“In five days, Tajamul Islam won six games,” said her coach Master Fasil Ali.

A Class 2 student, Islam represented India in Italy where the World Kick Boxing Championship, in which 90 countries participated, was underway.

“She (Islam) has created history by winning a gold medal in the game at the age of eight,” said PDP leader Waheed Parra, who is also J&K State Sports Council secretary.

In 2015, Islam won the national recognition after bagging the gold medal in the sub-junior category National Kickboxing Championship in New Delhi.

Jammu and Kashmir State Education Minister, Nayeem Akhtar, said, “It’s a proud moment”.