New Delhi, 1 January: Syed Mohammed Hussain marked a historic milestone in his illustrious career, securing his fifth consecutive international championship title. The triumph took place in the 52kg category at the prestigious ISKU International Karate Championship held in Gujrat on December 30-31, 2018. This feat not only distinguished him as the first Indian to accomplish such a victory, but also placed him in the elite league of five-time international karate champions, an honor held by a select few in the country.
At just 18 years old, Hussain, a former junior international champion, displayed exceptional prowess in the final against his Thai opponent, clinching the gold medal through a brilliant performance. The judges unequivocally favored Hussain, awarding him a decisive victory with a scoreline of 5-1 in the under-52 kg category. His dominance was evident throughout the tournament, culminating in this resounding triumph.
In the lead-up to the final, Hussain showcased remarkable skills, besting competitors from Brazil and Mexico with scorelines of 7-3 and 7-6 respectively, before securing a draw at 2-2 in the third round. His outstanding performance extended to the team event, where he demonstrated exceptional prowess, earning a silver medal.
Reflecting on this monumental achievement, Hussain expressed, “This is a big day of my life. It has motivated me for future championships.” He spoke with the media, emphasizing, “I won both medals in the senior elite kumite category of under 52 kg.”
In the preceding December, Hussain had already clinched gold at the International Karate Championship in Gujrat. Furthermore, in 2018, he made history by being selected for India’s eight-member Asian Games karate team, becoming the first man and only the third athlete in Telangana’s karate history to achieve this feat. Despite the subsequent challenges faced in 2019, Hussain’s indomitable spirit and remarkable achievements continue to inspire aspiring athletes.
