Student Achiever: ‘From challenges to confidence, how Judo shaped my life’

She has taken one for the entire women fraternity, meet Ayesha Khatoon who is studying in class VIII at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park. In a candid interview, Ayesha shares how she imbibed all positive virtues like sincerity, strength and support from her guru.

Read edited excerpts here:

Tell us something about your achievements in judo.

Judo it’s not only a game for me, it’s an emotion. The sport gave me physical strength and mentally prepared me, gave me confidence, and the experience of living away from your family and friends. Apart from that I have earned medals at inter school, state and zonal competitions.

Share your training regime.

My training regime in the starting was kind of really hard but I continued my passion for it. Our training began in the morning from 7 am to 8 am inside the school and from 3 pm to 6 pm outside in a specialised judo academy (HRJC).

How did apeejay support your sports journey?

I didn’t even know that a sport like judo existed. It was my school which introduced me to judo. I’m glad and I’ll always be thankful to Apeejay for changing my life in such a good way.

How has judo changed your life personally?

Judo has of course changed me in many ways unimaginable. The sport turned my life into more colourful, I acquired mental discipline, physical fitness, life lessons such as how to face challenges and never give up. Qualities like self-confidence, being resilient and self-love became a part of my life.

Would you like to take up judo professionally in future?

I joined judo because of my physical fitness and now knowing my strength I would love to take up this sport professionally in future.

Who is your inspiration and guru?

Talking about my inspiration and guru, she is one and only our school coach. Her story about how she overcame all the social and economical and religious crises and how she learned Judo is very inspiring.