Bhaskar Sen student of Sri Venkateshwara College, Delhi University won a gold medal in the prestigious for Karate at the US Open World Championship 2016. It is not the first time that he had made the nation proud but he has done it time and again, by bringing laurels to the country after participating in prestigious national and international events.
Bhaskar Sen has given his entire life to Karate and is proud of his sport. He has won Commonwealth, New Delhi 2010. He has a World Cup ranking of number 6 at Greece in 2009 followed by back to back Gold medal wins in the US Open World Championships of 2015 and 2016 at Las Vegas.
1. What inspired you to choose this sport out of other sports?
Karate is the most non-aggressive among popular martial art form & it is also recognized as a competitive sport both at the world as well as India level. Even in a day-to-day regimen, it gives you supreme fitness, self-confidence, and mental peace. In today’s time of rising rowdiness on the road, it is certainly more relevant today and provides an effective way to protect oneself.
2.What is your ultimate goal?
I have been fortunate to win championships at the world level in all the continents and have also secured a world ranking. As learned by athletes across the world it would certainly be the feather in my cap to see the Indian colors at Tokyo 2020 Olympics where Karate would take the stage for the first time in the Olympic arena.
3.How did it all start?
Since children of similar age were very few in my neighborhood and there was hardly anyone to play Cricket or Football with, I started tagging along with my elder brother (who is a rank holder black belt) to his Karate Dojo (Training Hall), where the art caught up with me in no time and became a passion.
4.Who has been your greatest support and why?
Undoubtedly, my elder brother Mayuku has been my greatest inspiration and role model, who honed my skills to perfection. Not to be left behind, my father, who is a keen enthusiast has guided me about the nitty-gritty of the art throughout all these years, whilst my mother, an adept musicologist, condoned the liberties taken by me to practice and follow karate all over the world and has been my greatest support system.
5.How did your parents react initially to this choice of yours?
Since my elder brother was already pursuing karate at the national level; getting a nod from my parents was a cakewalk. Rather they encouraged me in my efforts to maintain a fine level of physical activity and fitness.
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6.How did your friends help you in this?
Most of my college mates keenly follow my competitive routine and laurels won by me and left no stone unturned to highlight my achievements in the Social media and elsewhere, have been ever ready to boost my confidence.
7. A message for other students?
I always advise juniors to imagine and dream themselves at the Olympic and World Cup level and keep working for it with all sincerity and dedication. It is this sincerity and dedication which will help you in getting hold of the success you desire.
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8.What was your high point in life?
I have had several high points in life, like my Commonwealth win in 2010 at New Delhi; then my World Cup ranking of number 6 at Greece in 2009 followed by my back to back Gold medal wins in the US Open Championships of 2015 and 2016 at Las Vegas.
9.Were there any other sports you played before this?
Although I have been diligently pursuing karate since I was very small I have dabbled at times with the games of Cricket and Football, which of course could not progress beyond school level owing to my primary commitment towards karate.
10.How did it feel when you won the US Open world championship 2016?
It is of unmatched satisfaction and elation, to earn a reason of putting a smile on the faces of our fellow countrymen, to feel you have done your little bit. It is certainly very satisfying to show the world that we are a nation of capable people and that we can do well and shine in every sphere with no dearth of talent, given the barest opportunities.
Bhaskar Sen’s story covered by Hindustan Times
