Jan. 25: Enthusiastic young karatekas from across Bengal came under the spotlight at the third annual Alsoc West Bengal Inter-School Karate championship 2017, in association with TTIS, 91.9 Friends FM and All India Seishinkai Shito-ryu Karate-Do Federation.

More than 1,100 students from 120 state schools took part in the competition hosted by Alsoc (Alumnorum Societas, the St. Xavier's School Old Boys' Association), held on the primary section campus of St. Xavier's Collegiate School.

Among the talented pool of karatekas were Arjesh Roy, a Class V student of South Point School and Denzel Chris Das, a Class IV student of St. Xavier's Collegiate School. The duo had taken part in Destiny Cup held at Stellenbosch, South Africa, last year.

"I am happy to have achieved this and I would like to do karate all my life," said Arjesh, who bagged a gold in the Kata under-10 category in South Africa.

The long journey proved fruitful for the likes of Arman Mahato, 7, and Divyanka Golay, 9, who travelled from East Midnapore and Darjeeling, respectively, with instructors Anil Roy and Shibram Sardar to participate in the tournament.

"Today we are going to witness what we are capable of," said Fr. Benny Thomas, principal, St. Xavier's Collegiate School, referring to Dangal and the story of the two girls who defied odds to take up wrestling.

The host school was declared the champion of champions. "Our aim behind organising the karate tournament was to involve more youngsters in the sport and help mould the students into perfect human beings," said Dipen Datta, managing member, Alsoc.

Shihan Premjit Sen, chief judge, emphasised the importance of martial arts. "The three pillars of karate - discipline, determination and devotion - can not only guide one in karate but in one's life."