Fiza Nazir was eight only when her father admitted her into a sports academy run by a private coach to learn martial arts. She would attend her school, her tuitions and then go for her martial arts training. The girl was bearing hardships only to pursue her father’s dream to see her daughter growing as a finest sportswoman of Kashmir.
“Though this decision was made by my father, I’m extremely proud of him and the decision he made for me,” says Fiza.
After years of training, Fiza, who is 21 today, mastered the art of martial arts and started participating in different championships around the world.
The young martial arts champion from Fateh Kadal area of old city from Kashmir has won 11 gold medals and holds the green, blue and yellow belt in Thang-Ta sport.
Fiza has the experience of playing 11 nationals and five federations. Besides, she has won nine silver, seven bronze and five state trophies.
Such is her passion for her sport that in 2018, when Fiza was in 12th standard, she dropped her academic year to participate in the international Thang-Ta championship at Imphal in Manipur.
“I was a medical student and attending the classes and managing the training was becoming difficult so I decided to drop my academic year.”
Her sacrifice resulted in her winning a gold medal in the 52 weight category in the senior women tournament. She was also nominated as the world’s best woman fighter.
“After coming back I decided to work as a trainer in the same academy I used to practice at.”
Later she bagged another gold medal at the World Invitational Championship held in Philippines in April 2019.
“I was the first Kashmiri to be placed in “martial arts Jhaghat” and it brought me immense satisfaction.”
In the same year, she was selected for the World Martial Arts Union under UNESCO at South Korea.
Again to participate in the tournament, she had to drop her another academic year and again she won laurels for the state.
“Here again I won the gold medal in the under 62 weight category. This became possible with the support of my family.”
She won the great honor but she was not able to share her happiness with her family as the communication services were down after the abrogation of Article 370.
“My father came to know about my achievement through a news item published in a local daily,” recalls Fiza.
After coming back, Fiza was approached by many parents to train their kids. She was an inspiration for other girls. Therefore, she decided to start her own training academy.
“In April 2019, Fiza opened her academy “Knock It out girls” at Rajbagh area of Srinagar.
Ever since she has trained scores of children and in her all women academy she has trained a number of girls.
In 2021, Fiza again won the “Champion of Champions women” title in Kashmir which was organized by the J&K Thang-Ta Association. The tournament was sponsored by the J&K Sports Council.
Recently she has been to Manipur for a championship. Here again she won a gold. She was selected for Khelo India 2021.
Fiza is extremely dedicated towards her sport and aspires to have a career in the same line.
“I have sacrificed my studies for martial arts and I aspire to adopt it as a full fledged career.”
The sportsperson has also changed her academic stream from medical to Humanities.
Injuries and turmoil have never stopped Fiza from pursuing her dreams, and she has always been on time to her practicing sessions.
“I never miss out on practicing. Though I come from old City but it didn’t deter me from going out nor did the severe injuries I have faced in my entire career.”’
Fiza is the only one from her family to be into sports.
For this she gives credit to her family.
“The consistent support of my parents has brought me to a place where I stand today. I’m extremely satisfied with the life I’m living.”
