Hyderabad’s Naisha Bajaj targets World Kickboxing gold, seeks support for Olympics dream
Hyderabad’s Naisha Bajaj, a law student and rising kickboxing star, eyes the World Championship in Dubai and dreams of representing India in the Olympics. Despite financial struggles and injuries, she continues to win medals and seeks stronger support for the sport in Telangana.
Hyderabad: For want of funds, she couldn’t get a couple of her injuries treated! But, that was not a deterrent as the spirited Naisha Bajaj continues to amaze the critics with her consistent performances in kick-boxing with the specific objective of doing well – first in the coming World championship in Dubai and then dreaming to represent India in the Olympics.
“I joined the sport at the age of seven along with my mother (she is a freelance, professional fitness expert and father a software engineer). She was my motivation. Though she quit, I felt like I found my calling and started to pursue kick boxing seriously which has led me to where I am today,” says Naisha in a chat with ‘Telangana Today’ after her latest gold medal performance in the Khelo India Women’s Asmita kick boxing league.
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“I am indebted to my coach Master Suresh Patil who has been mentoring me since 2014 at his Iskimos Kickboxing Academy,” she said.
Not surprisingly, Naisha has been consistent, winning three international gold between 2022-2025, gold in the 2024 Senior
National, a silver in this year’s Nationals recently were testimony of this.
“There is a need for a strong support system to the sport to ensure holistic training and produce top players from the State,” Naisha said.
“The major challenge is definitely finance as it costs Rs. 80,000 to compete in an international tournament in India and about Rs. 3 lakhs in an international tournament abroad,” she said.
“It is a very expensive proposition, especially, to get treated for any injuries,” said Naisha, pursuing a Law Degree.
“Kick boxing getting temporary recognition by the State is a very positive step by the government. After years of trying and struggling we are very thankful for that,” Naisha said.
“I do not regret taking up kick boxing because I’ve never expected anything out of it other than personal development . I believe that things will eventually workout if I just keep going without thinking of the outcome,” she said. “Moreover, this temporary recognition is a huge step which we are so grateful for and all we hope is for the
sport to grow,” she signed off.
