Tajamul Islam, an eight-year-old girl hailing from a remote village of Tarkpora area of Bandipora in Jammu and Kashmir, has made history by becoming the youngest player from the sub-junior category to clinch a gold medal at the World Kickboxing Championship in Italy. 

Tajamul Islam, who received kickboxing coaching for two years in the backyard of her teacher, Master Fasil Ali Dar., is a national-level Kickboxing champion in India. The little girl, who is a student in II standard, represented India among 90 competing countries in Italy, The Hindu reports. Ali explains that Tajamul is the youngest in a category where boxers up to age 14 can participate.

“We lacked even the basic infrastructure. Yet, she won gold.” Dar told Hindustan Times during a press interaction after Tajmul beat her opponent, a contender from US, for the championship title. 

Tajmul, daughter of Ghualm Mohammed Lone, who works as a driver in the Valley, told the media, as reported by Firstpost: 

“Our village is very backward but I, along with other kids like me, are going to take it to new heights,” 

The new comes as a pleasant change to the curfew ridden state, which has seen massive protests, anti-military clashes and violence since the the execution of Burhan Wani in July. 

Kudos, Tajamul!

Feature Image Source: Twitter