Worthy winners

Representing Maharashtra at the 10th All India Independence Cup Karate-Do Championship were three Bombay-based Zoroastrian students — brother-sister duo Yazad and Cherazad Maneck Udwadia and Vaishta Sarosh Cooper. The Championship was held at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on August 16-17, 2014, mentions a write-up forwarded to Parsiana by Banoo Udwadia, mother of the first two contestants. The two-day meet was organized by the Shito-Ryu Seiko-Kai Karate-Do India which is a member of the World and Asian Karate Federations and is recognized by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of India and approved by the Karate Association of India.

(L-r): Shihan Jehangir Shroff, Vaishta Cooper, Cherezad and Yazad Udwadia

While Yazad picked up a silver medal in the junior, 16-17years/-76 +76 kg age/weight category in the kumite event, Cooper bagged a third place in the kata and kumite event (sub-junior category) winning two bronze medals. Cherazad who took part in the kata and kumite events received a certificate of participation.
A 12th std student of The Cathedral and John Connon School, 17-year-old Yazad holds a black belt in Shito-Ryu and Goju-Ryu style of karate, informs his mother. All of 11 years is younger sister Cherazad who studies in the same school in sixth standard.
Twelve-year-old Cooper who is an eighth standard pupil at the J. B. Vachha High School will be appearing for her black belt exam in the near future, mentions the write-up. At the Commonwealth Games held in Montreal in 2013, the karateka won a silver in the kata event. A year earlier she clinched a bronze at the National Games held in the capital.
All three karatekas have been training under Shihan Jehangir Shroff, a sixth dan black belt who is director and chief instructor of Yodansha Kobujitsu Karate Doh Federation (YKKF) International. Along with his dedicated trainers he personally oversees the students’ performance in this craft. Two intensive camps are organized during the year at nearby locations of the city. The students are up and on their feet before sunrise. Training continues till dinnertime. Sessions for senior students are held after dinner. Shroff uses different terrains like hill slopes, open gardens, swimming pools and air-conditioned conference rooms to hone their skills. The trainers and students alike are lodged in three to five star hotels and are provided wholesome, nutritious and unlimited meals, says the mother.