Baramulla: A 20-year-old Humaira Shafi has become the first female martial arts athlete from the Langate area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district to win two gold medals in recent weeks.
Her remarkable performances in the Muay Thai and KUDO championships have showcased her exceptional skills and determination.
Representing Government Degree College (GDC) Baramulla, Humaira clinched a gold medal in the 60 kg weight category at the Muay Thai Championship held at the indoor stadium Khoja Bagh Baramulla. She defeated three opponents and stood victorious, impressing the audience with her talent.
Last week, Humaira also secured a gold medal in the KUDO championship, further solidifying her position as a rising star in the martial arts world.
Humaira, currently pursuing her graduation at GDC Boys Baramulla, has always remained passionate about combat sports. With a black belt in Karate, she has already made a name for herself on the national stage, participating in the Samdo championship.
Inspired by Tajamul Islam, another martial arts sensation from Bandipora district, Humaira began her training four years ago. She joined the Champion Cross Martial Arts Academy in Langate, where her coach, Jahangir Malik, honed her skills.
Expressing gratitude towards her family, Humaira credits their unwavering support as a major factor in her success. She believes their encouragement helped her pursue her passion for martial arts.
Humaira’s journey began at Uqab Public School (UPS) Langate, where she excelled in Kho Kho at the national level. She has since earned two gold medals in Wushu championships at the state level.
However, Humaira’s ambitions reach far beyond these achievements. Her dream is to represent Jammu and Kashmir on the international stage.
“I have worked very hard to get myself trained in martial arts. I am dreaming of participating at the international level. I really aspire to represent Jammu and Kashmir on the global stage,” she shared.
Humaira also attributes her success to her childhood teacher, Muhammad Maqbool, who always encouraged her to pursue a career in sports. Despite facing setbacks early on, his words of motivation propelled her forward, leading to her remarkable performance in martial arts.
With her determination, skill, and passion, Humaira Shafi serves as an inspiring role model for aspiring athletes, especially young women looking to make their mark in the world of combat sports.
