Karate champ Naoroji

Jenny Naoroji of Pakuranga in Auckland, New Zealand, has startled everybody — herself included – by bagging gold in the karate event in Melbourne where she represented her country. Her prowess has been recognized and glowingly reported by John Lazo-Ron in Times Online. The news report has been forwarded to Parsiana by Rashna Tata, president of the Zarathushtrian Association of New Zealand (ZANZ). "The Zarathustrian community of Auckland and ZANZ are very proud of young Jenny Naoroji’s achievements,” she writes.

The 15-year-old college student won gold in the 14-16 year-old black belt division at the 27th Australian National Karate Championships. The India born fighter as Lazo-Ron describes her, was astonished by her own success. "It’s strange because I really didn’t think that I would win,” she told the reporter. "I mean I’m really happy that I won, but I just didn’t think I would and then when I did I was like, ‘this is weird.’” She had to win seven straight fights to qualify for the gold medal, he notes in his report, adding that even her father, Pakuranga Karate Club Sensei Karl Naoroji was surprised though delighted. He had anticipated that she could be a medal contender as he feels she "has real ability” but had not visualized her walking away with the gold.

Jenny’s triumph in Australia isn’t her only success of late, notes Lazo-Ron.

Jenny Naoroji: hoping to go far

"Two weeks before her victory in Melbourne, she won gold in the open women’s division at the Northern Region karate championships in Auckland. Despite her recent success, Jenny, who has been practicing karate for five years, is uncertain how far she can make it in the martial art,” he adds.

"I hope I can go far. But I’m only 15 and there haven’t been many women from this country that have made it far,” Naoroji had expressed her doubts.

For the time being she is just looking forward to preparing for upcoming international tournaments she is hoping to compete in. She has her eye on an Asia-Oceania championship in Bangkok some time at the end of the year. And there’s the world cup in Tokyo next year…