Jammu and Kashmir’s young athlete Aamina Zehra has achieved a remarkable milestone by winning gold at the 3rd Asian Junior Pencak Silat Championship. With this victory, she has become the first and only girl from the region to accomplish this feat. Hosted at Srinagar’s Sher-e-Kashmir Indoor Stadium after a four-year break, the championship was organised in association with the J&K Sports Council and attracted participants from several countries, including Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Aamina, who has already established herself as one of the Valley’s most promising athletes, displayed remarkable grit and skill to outclass her opponents and secure the top podium finish. With this victory, she not only brought laurels to her home state but also strengthened India’s standing in the sport on the continental stage.
The 17-year-old athlete is no stranger to success. Before this, she had represented the country internationally and bagged a silver medal. At the national level, she is a 12-time medalist, making her one of the most decorated young athletes in the field of Pencak Silat. Her consistent performances over the years reflect her determination and hard work, which has now culminated in an Asian gold.
Trained under the guidance of coach Nassir Ahmad Digoo, Aamina expressed her gratitude to her mentors, especially Mohd Iqbal and Irfan Aziz Botta, the Chief Coach of India, for their support in shaping her career. “I owe this victory to my coaches and the encouragement of the J&K Sports Council. Without their guidance, this would not have been possible,” she said.
The championship in Srinagar has been seen as a major boost for martial arts in the region, providing young athletes a platform to showcase their talent at the international level. Aamina’s achievement has sparked pride and optimism across Jammu and Kashmir, inspiring a new generation of aspiring sportspersons.