Small wonder

Six-year-old Rooyintan Mehenty stood first in the boys individual kumite in his category at the Mumbai Mayor Cup Karate Championship from July 24-26, 2009. The competition was organized and conducted by the Maharashtra Karate Association at the Priyadarshani Indira Gandhi Krida Sankul (Kalidas Sports Complex) at Mulund in Bombay. "It was a state level competition which had 2,500 students participating,” says his mother Monaz. "We never expected Rooyintan to perform so well as this was his first tournament at this level. But the child fights quite fearlessly. He is not at all nervous while the others probably were!” laughs his father Ervad Nozer.

Rooyintan Mehenty: fighting fearlessly

Getting his karate green belt recently, Rooyintan is also proficient in prayers. "He has completed the full Khordeh Avesta prayers by heart at this young age and has completed the first Ha (chapter) in the Ijashne. There are 72 Has altogether. His father teaches him,” adds his mother proudly.