Akshay Kumar has many super-hit action roles to his name but he’d be happy to hear about his ‘inspirational role’. He’s inspired Saurabh, nine-year-old black-belt Dan I who will represent India in the World Karate Championships in California from July 30 2005.
‘‘I saw Akshay Kumar on a National Geographic series called 7 deadly martial arts. That is when I realized that even I can do all these stunts’’, Saurabh told Sportline.
The journey that started three years back reached its climax then, since when Saurabh eats, drinks and sleeps karate. “In the first year I just practiced and it was only in the second year I started giving belt tests. But after seeing Akshay (it goes without saying he’s a huge fan) in the programme, I became very serious and focused.”
And last August he was awarded the black belt. “I am just Dan I now, there are many stages left and then there’s red belt, it’s the ultimate,” he reminds of his ambitions.
Among his achievements are a gold in the All Karate international Championships in Kathmandu, two golds and a bronze in the Inter-state open Karate championship and a silver medal at the North India Martial Arts championship.
Black belt might have different meaning to different people. To him it’s ‘‘pure confidence,” but to his classmates it means terror. “Everybody in the school knows I am a blackbelt. And they fear me,” he says letting out a smile that signals he enjoys every bit of it. “But I don’t trouble anyone, I promise.”
A class six student of PDM Public School, Bahadurgarh, Saurabh is part of the eleven-member Indian squad for the event starting July 30, 2005 at Soka University where 14 countries are expected to take part.
Without saying, he is the youngest competitor in the Indian delegation and would take part in the kata and bout section of the U-12 age category. “I am going there to win a medal for India,” he exudes confidence over this major international tournament. “I am good in trading punches and therefore should get some quick points in the bouts.”
Of late, rather than practicing intensively, Saurabh and his father are looking for sponsors in Delhi. “This entire trip to US is self-financed and it would cost me around one and a half lakhs. This is huge money for me. But I haven’t lost hope yet. I am sure that someone would come forward and help us, even in part. My son will definitely go and he will bring a medal for India,” Shyam Sundar concludes.