GUWAHATI: He is his father’s son, as Hemphu Bongjang beams with a smile on his face, a silver medal around his neck and a certificate in his hand, stands beside his father and mentor Nagen Bongjan, general secretary of United Karate-Do Association of Assam.
The 11-year-old Karate champion from Guwahati returned last night to his residence after clinching the silver medal in the World Karate Federation’s championship for Kids, Under-12 and Under-21 at Umang in Croatia by defeating Bosnia’s Tarik Solkic in the Kata category.
Hemphu was part of a 50-players team from India that took part in the championship in which at least 96 countries participated.
“After his victory, my son is the world’s second best player in the age group in Kata category, while he is the best from India,” a seemingly proud Nagen who also accompanied his son in the trip told G Plus at his residence today.
On their arrival, a mood of festivity had set in their residence at Geetanagar that also serve as a Karate training centre for about 40-50 Karate aspirants daily, but Hemphu is determined that he could have played better and will play better.
“This time, prior to the championship, I could not practice more as my school exams were round the corner. But in the next championship, which is the Common Wealth karate-Do Championship to be held at Durban, South Africa from November, I think I will clinch at least one gold medal,” a resolute Hemphu said.
He trains for about 2 hours daily supervised by his father. To be eligible to participate in the championship, Hemphu had participated in the district, zonal and national championships where he clinched gold each in all the categories.
“Hemphu started practicing Karate when he was of the age of four years old. It’s now been eight years. His first official championship was a state championship in 2011 when he won gold. This followed two unsuccessful attempts in the national championships in 2015 and 2016 and eventually a bronze in 2017. Last year itself, he participated in 10-12 youth cups and he has performed well,” Nagen said.
A part of the credit, however goes to the UKAA too which, Hemphu said, have helped him to develop through the numerous inter-district championships that are held every year.
With no sponsors to support, funding, however, remains a stumbling block for Hemphu.
“In this championship, we went by spending our own money. After returning back, from various district associations, we have received Rs 53,000 and about more Rs 45000 from the parents of the karate students. The government will give Rs 1 lakh more. The association, too, gets Rs 1 Lakh every year. But, most of the earning of the association is from fees. If the association were a bit more empowered, we could have participated in a lot many other championships,” Nagen added.