Rising through discipline: Akhtar-led team marks strong presence at State and National

A disciplined blend of technique, temperament, and training was on display as Xtreme Martial Arts India returned with an impressive 27 medals from the Delhi State Karate Championship 2026, held at Talkatora Indoor Stadium on Friday.

The contingent, coached by Akhtar alongside Sanskar, Ali, and Ranjeet, secured six gold, eight silver, and 13 bronze medals across sub-junior, cadet, and junior categories — a performance that underlines the academy’s steady ascent in the State’s competitive karate circuit.

Among the standout performers, Sagarika Singh clinched gold in the junior +66kg kumite category with a display of controlled aggression and tactical awareness. Manya Anand topped the sub-junior -50kg division, while young competitors Shrihan Katiyar (7, -25kg) and Rishi Thapa (9, -35kg) impressed in their respective kumite events, reflecting the academy’s emphasis on early-age skill development.

In kata, Saumya Trehan and Jassca secured top honours in their age groups, highlighting technical precision and form — elements often considered foundational in karate training.

The silver medal winners included Vrishank Razdan (kata), Ayan (-50kg kumite), Arvee Gupta (-20kg kumite), and Palavi Yadav (-30kg kumite), while cadet competitors Sahil (-57kg) and Prachi Pariyar (-54kg), along with juniors Ajit Jaiswal (-68kg) and Avik Singh (-59kg), contributed to the tally with consistent performances.

Bronze medals were claimed by Aryansh Singh, Abhiraj Singh, Harshit Singh, Arvee (kata), Nitara, Ahana Sharma, Myra Pruthi, Prisha Saxena, Jassca (kumite), Samridhi Tomar, Abhyudaya, Samah, and Aryan.

The results reflect not merely competitive success but also a structured training approach that balances kumite and kata, allowing athletes to develop across formats.

Beyond competition: Building athletes and systems

Akhtar’s role extends beyond the dojo. As a coach, he has been associated with international and national events such as the Commonwealth Karate Championship 2024 and the South Asian Karate Championship 2023, apart from contributing to athlete preparation at the All India Inter-University Championships.

His involvement points to a growing integration between grassroots training and elite competition pathways — an aspect often cited as critical for sustained sporting success.

In the administrative domain, Akhtar serves as Head Admin for Sportdata (South Asia & India), overseeing technical operations at several major competitions, including events conducted under the Sports Authority of India. His work includes managing tournament systems, draws, and data handling — functions that have become increasingly central to modern competitive sport.

Looking ahead

More recently, Akhtar led the Galgotias University team at the All India Inter University Karate Championship 2025–26, held at Dibrugarh University earlier this month, where the team delivered a commendable showing.

For Xtreme Martial Arts India, the results at the State championship serve as both validation and motivation. With several young athletes already demonstrating competitive promise, the focus is likely to shift towards national-level events, where consistency and exposure will test the depth of the academy’s programme.

In a sport where progress is often incremental and discipline non-negotiable, such performances offer a glimpse into a system that is steadily finding its footing.