Harsha Ratnakar and Naisha Bajaj shine in kickboxing despite World Championship exit

Telugu kickboxers Harsha Ratnakar and Naisha Bajaj reached the quarterfinals of the Senior World Kickboxing Championship in Dubai before winning State gold in Sangareddy. Naisha will compete in the Khelo India Asmita Zonal league, while both athletes seek greater support

Hyderabad: For any athlete, bowing out in the quarterfinal of a World Championship is no disgrace, for it also means finishing in the top eight of their respective disciplines.

So, when Harsha Ratnakar and Naisha Bajaj, the only two players selected from the Telugu-speaking States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, bowed out in the quarterfinal of the recent Senior World Kickboxing Championship in Dubai, it only made them more determined to dream bigger.

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Interestingly, the duo won gold in the State-level championship at Sangareddy on Saturday on their return, serving as a gentle reminder that there is still a lot more to come.

Naisha has been selected for the Khelo India Asmita Zonal Women’s Kickboxing League in Indore from December 25.

For his part, Ratnakar, after finishing fifth in the World Championship and winning State gold, is keen to script more success stories.

“We feel sad that there is no Government support despite applying for financial help in August this year. We are optimistic of some kind of support to let us realize the dream of winning gold on the global stage,” the duo said.

“The only positive thing is that kickboxing received interim recognition in June this year from the Sports Authority of Telangana and is expected to be given an extension,” they said, while thanking the Telangana Kickboxing Association for supporting their cause.