Karate Exponent Credits Her Mother As Driving Force Behind Her Success

HER father passed away when she was only seven. So,it was her mother P. Selvarani, a kindergarten teacher, who inspired S. Shree Sharmini to do well in sports and education.

Shree Sharmini, a Pre-U student at the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) and a member of the national karate squad, said she would not have achieved success in both the fields if not for her mother.

“It was my mother who encouraged me to get involved in sports since my primary school days. In fact, I was more into taekwondo when I was a pupil at SJK (T) Kulim, Kedah.

“There was no taekwondo training sessions in my secondary school (SMK Taman Kenari, Kulim).

High kick: Shree Sharmini is looking forward to the Indonesia SEA Games in November.

“My mother signed me up for karate and my coach (P. Thiyakara-jan) taught me the basics. I started in kata (demonstration) but my coach advised me to switch to kumite (combat).

“He felt, as a left-hander, I will be more suitable for the combat style,” said Shree Sharmini.

After almost a year of intense training, she made an impact in her first competition in Kedah. In the 13-15 years age group event, she won a silver.

Her first national competition was the Malaysian Karate Federation (Makaf) junior championships in 2006.

She was only 14 but her dreams of a rostrum finish were dashed in the first round.

Shree Sharmini said the championships was an eye-opener and realised she had a long way to go in karate.

“When I lost in the first round, my mother was there to support me. I was motivated by her presence,” said Shree Sharmini.

And the following year, she was on podium as the champion and she had maintained her supremacy in the 59kg category until last year.

While focusing on her karate, Shree Sharmini did not neglect her studies.

Based on her impressive progress in karate and PMR, she was selected into the national back-up squad.

As a member of the back-up squad based in Kuala Lumpur, she was offered to study at the BJSS.

Being part of BJSS was also another eye-opening experience. The support from the teachers was excellent.

“The teachers encouraged me a lot and I was able to get good results in the SPM.

“My ambition is to get a degree in IT. I hope to do well in my studies with the help of the teachers,” said Shree Sharmini, who scored four As and Four Bs in the SPM.

She is now in the midst of training for the World Junior championships in Malacca.

She trains two sessions a day under coach P. Arivalagan.

“The training sessions are tough but I am prepared to go through the mill.

“I have confidence and I am also determined to give a good account in the championships,” said Shree Sharmini who will also be looking forward to representing Malaysia in the SEA Games in Indonesia.

FACT FILE

Name: S. Shree Sharmini

Date of Birth: June 30, 1992

State: Kedah

Ht: 1.69m.

Wt: 59kg

School: Bukit Jalil Sports School (Pre-U)

Hobbies: Listening to songs

Ambition: IT specialist

Favourite Sports Personality: Premila and G. Yamini

Coach: P. Thiyakarajan (primary school); P. Arivalagan (current coach)

Most memorable moment: Winning the gold medal in the Asian Koi Championships in China

Achievements

2007-2010: Makaf Junior championships (gold)

2009: World Koi Championships (bronze)

2010: Asian Junior championships (gold)

Asian Koi championships(gold and bronze)

Le Heret Cup, France (silver)

2011: Singapore International Open (gold)

Makaf Senior championships (bronze)