Student Achiever: ‘Karate has taught me to face challenges with resilience’

Hard work and dedication lead to success, and Dhruv Pandit, a class V student of Apeejay Svran Global School, Faridabad is living proof of this. In a proud moment for the school, he was awarded his Black Belt by the Karate Federation of India during a felicitation ceremony at the Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi.

Adding to this remarkable achievement, Dhruv won two Gold medals at the All India Karate Championship held at the same venue. Recognising his discipline, strength, and passion, he has been conferred the title Sensai Dhruv Pandit.

This victory is a testament to Dhruv’s perseverance and commitment to excellence. The Apeejay community applauds his achievements and wishes him greater success in his journey ahead.

In a candid interview, Dhruv shares his karate journey and how thrilled he was when he finally got his Black Belt.

Getting a black belt is a huge achievement. How did you prepare for the exam? 

My karate teacher made me prepare alone in class. He gave me tasks like practising specific combinations and katas while others practised together. I had to focus completely on my performance. He also conducted a mock exam, where the president of the academy tested us as if it were the real thing. This helped me understand what to expect in the final exam.

You started learning karate in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. How was that experience? 

It was very challenging. Classes were conducted on Google Meet due to safety precautions, which was a completely new experience for me. I also had to be cautious about going out and not getting infected. Later, when in-person training resumed, I faced timing difficulties with extra classes at another branch. But I managed to adjust my schedule and make it work.

You also won two gold medals at the All-India Karate Championship. How did you train for that? 

My teacher trained me to fight taller and more experienced kids, which was challenging because they had an advantage in reach and strength. He focused on improving my defence, blocking techniques, and reactions to very fast punches and kicks that are hard to see. This specific training helped me perform well in the championship.

Now that you are Sensei Dhruv Pandit, what are some things you need to be mindful of? 

I need to maintain the same level of discipline that I had when I started karate. Discipline is essential in karate. I also need to improve my health, especially by eating better, as I tend to eat less than I should. Most importantly, I need to avoid fights. If there’s a heated argument at school, I focus on peaceful settlements rather than fighting even if the other person wants to fight. This is something my teachers emphasise as well.

Is it tough balancing karate with your studies and other activities? 

My karate classes are on alternate days, so they don’t overlap with other commitments. I study before and after my karate sessions to keep everything balanced. However, I don’t get much time to play with my friends due to three reasons: The cold weather, the present virus concerns, and my study schedule.

Who has been your biggest supporter throughout your karate journey? 

My parents have been my biggest supporters. They encouraged me to practice and never give up, even when I felt hopeless. For instance, during two championships in Amritsar, they couldn’t accompany me, but they motivated me from afar. Their support helped me stay focused, and I won gold medals in both tournaments.

What kind of support have you received from your school? 

My school holds taekwondo classes, and some of the moves are similar to karate. This gave me an additional opportunity to practice. My teachers were also very supportive. When I missed classes due to tournaments, they sent me assignments and guided me on what chapters to study. I caught up on the lessons on my own.

What advice would you give to students who want to take up karate? 

The two most important things in karate are discipline and health. Without discipline, you can’t focus or learn anything properly. And without good health, you won’t have the energy to perfect your punches and kicks. Discipline and health go hand in hand if you want to excel in karate.

What role does discipline play in karate? 

Discipline is the foundation of karate. Without it, you won’t be able to learn or remember anything, no matter how hard you try. Discipline ensures that you stay focused, follow instructions, and progress in your training.

Karate has also taught me to face challenges with patience and focus. Whether it’s balancing studies and karate, adapting to changes during COVID-19, or competing against tougher opponents, I’ve learnt that with discipline and determination, anything is possible.