Patna: Nikita Sinha, martial art exponent and karateka from Jagdeo Path, is about to get a rousing welcome home from Thailand on Wednesday for winning the bronze medal in the World Junior Pencak Silat Championship.

The 17-year-old will be felicitated on Wednesday by the Pencak Silat Association of Bihar. The championship was organised at Songkhla Rajabhat University in Thailand from April 23-29. She will land at the Patna airport around 1pm.

"Nikita has brought laurels to the state by winning the bronze medal in the World Junior Pencak Silat Championship. This is the first for a sportsperson from Bihar," said Bhola Kumar Thapa, the coach of Nikita, who is a Class XII student of Loyola High School in Patna. "We are going to give her grand welcome from the airport with band-baaja. We have also planned a short tour of city after her homecoming. She will be felicitated Paras Nath Garden in the evening. We have invited officials from the state government but we are yet to receive their confirmation."

Thapa said Nikita, who won bronze in the 43-47kg weight category, has now set her eyes on the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta later this year. Nikita also won the gold medal at the Indo-Nepal International Karate Championship three months ago. Thapa said: "But Nikita says if she gets selected for the Asian Games, it would be a milestone for her."

The teenager's mother, Suruchi Kumari is also on cloud nine. "She was just 12 years old when her father died. Since then, I have seen her grow stronger by the day. It was not only Nikita but my wish too that she learns karate. We will celebrate together on Wednesday," said Suruchi, who runs a garments shop.