Maryam, 6, qualifies for karate world championships after winning silver at nationals

Maryam Nurani

A six-year-old girl from Rochdale has qualified for the karate world championships in Florida next year after winning a silver medal in the national karate championships in October.

Maryam Nurani, of the Dojo Karate Centre, Rochdale, won silver in the kata competition, which took place in Birmingham on 16 October.

The Heybrook Primary pupil joined the Dojo Karate Centre in Rochdale when she was just four, taking the Tiger Tots class twice a week.

She began learning martial arts as a form of self-defence, after an incident at her previous school.

Due to Covid, the karate classes moved online via Zoom, with Maryam using her mum’s phone to continue training.

As the Covid restrictions eased and classes returned to the club the senseis felt Maryam was more than ready to move up and join the higher class. She was also selected to join the junior squad class which allows her to take part in internal and external competitions.

The competition was Maryam’s first external and she was also the youngest member from her club to participate.

Her mum, Zabina, said: “I am so very proud of her she has shown a high level of determination and courage.

I have been speaking to her and asking her how she feels about the world championships and she tells me ‘I'm excited and a little nervous’ I remind her to just enjoy and have fun while learning and experiencing in life.

The headteacher of Heybrook Primary School added: “We are all really proud of Maryam.”

Maryam enjoys taking part in active sports such as karate, Thai boxing and gymnastics. She also enjoys arts and crafts, reading and writing.

The world championships take place at Florida’s Daytona Beach in July 2023.