Karateka Ayesha Pattnaik. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 20: Determination can lead to success and this is what Ayesha Pattnaik, a 14-year old girl in the city, had to break the barriers of her physical challenge.

Despite being born with a paralysed right hand, Ayesha has been able to beat her physically fit counterparts to attain black belt in karate and win many awards at state and national level in martial arts.

Ayesha’s mother Gouresh Nandini encouraged her daughter to take up martial arts.

“Ayesha joined karate classes four years ago when she was just 10 years old. Though many friends and relatives discouraged this decision, saying that she would suffer because of her physical disability, I was sure she had the talent and would do well,” said Gouresh Nandini.

“She has proved herself by winning gold and silver medals in various competitions in the last two years at the national and state level,” she said.

Ayesha, a Class IX student of Venkateswar English Medium School in the city, feels learning martial arts has helped her in many ways. “I was never treated as a child with physical limitations by my parents. Their assurance instilled a sense of confidence in me. When I started my training in karate, I immediately loved the freedom to express my self through this art. It makes me feel independent and has helped increase concentration in studies,” said the teenager.

The young karateka religiously practices for two hours everyday and now aims to win an international title.

“I had qualified for international events held in Nepal and Scotland. But we could not afford to make it to the events. However, I will try my best to hit the international fight arena next year,” she said.

Coach Soumya Ranjan Dash reminisces that he had initially started coaching her separately.

“I was aware that her hand did not move and hence, started training her in a separate class.

“But she showed immense talent and skill and was better than some of her seniors. Since then, she has been competing with her counterparts and also winning consistently,” said Dash.

At present, Ayesha is undergoing training in fencing. “I wish to be a successful sportsperson when I grow up and help open a facility to groom para-athletes of our state,” she said.