In a momentous first for Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Afrin Jabeen, a B.P.Ed. student, has scripted history by becoming the first-ever AMU student to successfully swim across the English Channel.
Aligarh Muslim University:
In a momentous first for Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Afrin Jabeen, a B.P.Ed. student, has scripted history by becoming the first-ever AMU student to successfully swim across the English Channel.
Afrin braved the frigid waters at 11°C and fierce currents on July 29, 2025 to complete the solo one-way swim from Dover (UK) to Cap Gris-Nez (France) at a stretch of 34 kilometers in 13 hours and 13 minutes, beginning at 3:45 AM London time.
This remarkable feat places her in the elite ranks of international endurance swimmers and brings immense pride to AMU, her home state West Bengal, and India at large.
Who is Afrin Jabee?
Rising from a modest background in Paschim Medinipur, Afrin’s journey is a stirring testament to perseverance, discipline, and unyielding ambition. Even before this feat, she had already distinguished herself as a formidable open-water swimmer.
She represented Vidyasagar University three times at the All-India Inter-University Aquatic Championships, competed twice for West Bengal at the national level, and conquered demanding long-distance swims spanning 13 kms, 21 kms, and 24 kms.
Her most remarkable pre-AMU achievement was securing 2nd position among girls in the world’s longest swimming event—an 81 kms marathon in the Ganges.
“Historic Milestone”
As a student of AMU, Afrin’s triumph is not only personal but also a historic milestone for the university.
Flanked by her proud brother, Adil Mohmmad (a PhD student in the Department of Chemistry at AMU) and her sister-in-law, Rizwana Yasmeen (a Gold Medalist in Nanotechnologty at AMU), Afreen, holding the Indian flag, expressed with thrill, “I am happy to have brought joy to my nation, University and family, who always support me in pursuing my dreams.”
AMU Vice Chancellor Prof. Naima Khatoon hailed her achievement as a moment of “collective celebration and pride.”
She said that Afrin’s extraordinary spirit will inspire generations of AMU students. “She has initiated a journey that will be taken up by many more talented students at AMU”, she said.
“Remarkable Achievement”
Prof Ikram Husain, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences and the Chairperson, Department of Physical Education congratulated Afrin Jabee for her remarkable achievement and expressed hope that her education at AMU will ensure many more such laurels in her life.
Prof Vibha Sharma, Member Incharge, Public Relations Office, said that Afrin and her brother are still in the UK and they will be back to Aligarh soon. She congratulated them on phone and conveyed the best wishes on behalf of the university fraternity.
In Afrin, AMU has found a new icon, a daughter of Aligarh who swam into history, carrying the university’s name across nations and into global acclaim and offers great promises for future in sports.
source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> Education & Career / by ummid.com news network / August 02nd, 2025
Two players from Kashmir, Shaista Wani of Srinagar and Farhana Rehman of Pulwama
Srinagar:
Two players from Kashmir, Shaista Wani of Srinagar and Farhana Rehman of Pulwama, have been selected to represent India in the Asian Women’s Softball Championship, to be held in Xi’an, China, from July 14 to 20.
Their selection to the Indian national team marks a proud moment for the Union Territory and reflects the growing presence of women athletes from J&K on national and international platforms. Both Shaista and Farhana cleared tough national trials and took part in intensive training camps in Indore and New Delhi.
The Asia Cup is a qualifying tournament for the Women’s Softball World Cup 2026. The top two teams from this championship will advance to the global stage.
Shaista and Farhana have been consistently performing at national events for years and began their sporting journey at a young age.
Their hard work and dedication have brought them to this milestone.
Congratulating the athletes, J&K’s Youth Services and Sports Minister Satish Sharma said their selection is a proud moment for the region. “This shows that girls from J&K are rising in sports and competing at the highest level,” he said.
Sarmad Hafeez (IAS), Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, said this achievement reflects strong training, discipline, and athlete development. “Our girls are proving their talent internationally,” he added.
Nuzhat Gul, Secretary, J&K Sports Council, also praised the players, calling them role models for other young girls in the UT. “The Sports Council is committed to supporting female athletes with better training and facilities,” she said. (KNS)
source: http://www.freepresskashmir.news / Free Press Kashmir / Home> Achievers / by News Desk / July 10th, 2025
India’s Sohail Khan scripted history at the Kudo World Cup 2025 by securing a silver medal in the Men’s -250 P category, registering the nation’s best-ever finish in the senior men’s division at the global event. The prestigious tournament was held in Burgas, Bulgaria and featured participation from top Kudo athletes from around the world.
Hailing from Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, Sohail, also known as the “Golden Boy of MP,” performed exceptionally well to earn his place on the podium.
Sohail began his campaign in the Round of 16 against Pakistan’s Abdulla, but advanced via walkover after the opponent failed to meet the weight requirement. In the quarterfinal, Sohail battled hard to secure a narrow 1-0 win over Bulgaria’s Rusev Radoslav.
In the semifinal, Sohail delivered one of his most dominant performances of the tournament, defeating Andzej Voinius of Lithuania by a commanding 4-0 margin. With this win, he secured his spot in the final and guaranteed India at least a silver medal, a first for the country in this category.
In the gold medal bout, Sohail faced a tough challenge against France’s Quentin Miramont. The contest was intense and evenly matched, with neither fighter managing to score a definitive point in the standard two rounds.
As a result, the referee decided to extend the bout to a rare third round, the first time in the entire World Cup that any fight had gone that far. Despite Sohail’s spirited and resilient performance, he eventually fell short by just two points, settling for silver in a historic finale.
Sohail’s success is also a reflection of the strong support system behind him. He is coached by Mohammad Aijaz Khan, with Harikant Tiwari serving as his conditioning coach, Deepak Tiwari as his strength and nutrition coach, and Bhabajeet Choudhary as his striking coach.
This silver medal is the latest addition to Sohail’s decorated career. A former Junior World Cup gold medallist (2017) and a four-time gold medallist in the Akshay Kumar International Kudo Tournament, Sohail had finished as a quarterfinalist at the 2023 Senior World Championship.
He entered the 2025 World Cup as the 12th seed following his bronze at the Eurasian Cup earlier this year, and has now exceeded expectations by becoming India’s top senior performer at the global level. — IANS
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Indian Muslims> Sports / by Clarion India / July 08th, 2025
Nabeela Khan, a B.Sc. Biochemistry student from the Women’s College at AMU.
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) continues to make headlines, not just in academics but also in sports. Nabeela Khan, a B.Sc. Biochemistry student from the Women’s College at AMU, played a pivotal role in leading Uttar Pradesh to a gold medal at the prestigious Federation Cup 2025 Roller Skating Derby Championship held in Bikaner, Rajasthan.
Representing Team Uttar Pradesh, Nabeela demonstrated outstanding skill and determination throughout the tournament. Her performance was instrumental in securing strong victories during the pool stage, including a dominant 44–11 win over Tamil Nadu. In the final, her team put up an equally impressive show, defeating the host team Rajasthan 26–12 to clinch the championship title.
Adding further pride to the university, Syeda Laiba Ali, a recent Class X graduate from AMU, was also part of the victorious state team. Her selection highlights AMU’s growing emphasis on promoting women’s participation in sports and nurturing young talent.
Nabeela’s selection to the state team followed a standout performance during a 10-day intensive training camp in Mohali in 2024. Her speed, consistency, and strategic play caught the attention of national selectors. No stranger to competitive success, Nabeela has already won five medals on the National Roller Derby Circuit, including three golds.
Remarkably, she balances her athletic pursuits with academic excellence. Nabeela has cleared the NEET examination twice, showcasing her dedication to both sports and studies. Her journey reflects the holistic environment AMU fosters—where students are encouraged to pursue excellence in all spheres.
With achievements like these, AMU is reinforcing its reputation as a nurturing ground for talent, empowering women like Nabeela and Laiba to shine on national platforms. Their success stories continue to inspire the next generation of student-athletes at the university. — With Agencies Inputs
source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Indian Muslim> Women / by Muslim Mirror Desk / July 10th, 2025
As we gear up to bid goodbye to the year 2022, here’s an about-turn to look at the most influential Muslim women who with their girt and strength have embedded their names in history.
Meet Mehr Sheikh from being a news anchor working with a company in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, to setting up her office in front of the same company, she has come a long way. She is presented as one of India’s youngest mainstream female motivational speakers, founder-director of Papr Network, and Editor-in-Chief of Nikology, a YouTube channel with nearly 2 million subscribers.
From being routed in regular corporate life to breaking the barriers and taking running as a full-time profession Sufiya Sufi set many records. From being the fastest female to run the Indian Golden Quadrilateral Road in 6 days, 12 hours, and 6 minutes to taking up the challenges of running continuously 200 km in Qatar and later running across the globe she has come a long way.
With many beauty pageants coming back to India in 2022, Tabassum took the podium a notch up when she represented India as one of the jury members in a beauty event held in South Korea’s Seoul
In the field of sports, Nikhat brought laurels to India as apart from winning the gold at the world championship, she won gold at the National Championship, the CWG and the Stranjde Memorial championship.
Do not marry your sisters, daughters, and other relations to men as their second wives or to those who are inclined on marrying another woman for no reason.” Hundreds of Muslim women unanimously passed the above resolution moved by Begum Jahanara Shahnawaz at the 7th All India Muslim Ladies Conference in 1920.
The All India Muslim Ladies Conference was established in 1914 under the presidentship of Begum Sultan Jahan, the ruler of Bhopal, and the leadership of women like Begum Waheed, Abru Begum, and Begum Shafi to bring social, educational, and economic reforms among Muslim women. Within six years of its inception membership of the Conference increased from a few dozens to hundreds. These women raised money to open and maintain girls’ schools in different parts of India and formed a public opinion in support of education.
Apart from the white robe of a doctor and the operation theatre, Dr. Jahanara Begum, a prominent obstetrician of Assam, also dons colourful costumes and has a wide stage to perform. Away from the hospitals and clinics, Dr. Begum has made theatre a part of her life despite her hectic professional schedule. While she has healed thousands of people as a doctor, she has also impressed numerous playwrights and audiences as an actor.
Syeda Salva Fatima – Amazed at her confidence, he decided to give wings to her dreams and she was enrolled in the Andhra Pradesh Aviation Academy in 2007. Despite failures, she remained undeterred and finally completed her training. She logged in 200 hours of flying in the Cessna 152 aircraft and 123 Hours of solo flight. She says,My best moment was when I flew for the first time. Also, every time I fly the big bird Airbus 320 in command, that’s the best feeling ever!
Farida Jalees, the founder of Lucknow Mahila Sewa Trust, who had boldly four startups during the Covid-19 lockdown to sustain the livelihoods of some 2.5 lakh women associated with her self-help group, said, “we have never felt these two (festivals) are different. We endeavor to make Jeevika Bakers viable and for this, I have been making use of every festival to sell baked foods under a canopy in marketplaces.”
Dr.Muhammad Raziul Islam Nadvi is a renowned Urdu author advocates Muslim women’s participation in mosques and namaz
Naseem Shafaie, the only Kashmiri woman to get the Sahitya Akademi award and the recipient of this year’s State Award for Literature rues that the Kashmiri language is being ignored by natives who prefer to speak with their children in Urdu (Hindustani) and not in their mother tongue. She laments that the language was not getting due treatment by its natural speakers. “Let all read it and be it our language,” she told Awaz-the Voice. She said there is a general trend among people in Kashmir to speak in the Urdu (Hindustani) language to their children at their homes.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Shaista Fatima, New Delhi / December 29th, 2022
A Muslim youth from Shahpura, Rajasthan, earns place in Indian youth basketball squad for South Asian Championship, inspiring local community and proving that dedication overcomes all challenges
New Delhi :
In a proud moment for both Rajasthan and the Muslim community, Mohammad Raza Khan, a young basketball player from Shahpura town, has been selected to represent India in the Youth Basketball Championship. His achievement has filled his family and local community with joy and hope.
Mohammad Raza Khan will participate in the South Asian Basketball Championship scheduled to take place in the Maldives on une 11. His selection to the Indian youth basketball team highlights not only his talent but also the determination and hard work that have brought him this far.
Raza Khan has been training hard at the Indian team’s camp in Indore, where he impressed coaches and selectors with his skills and discipline. “Raza showed remarkable focus and commitment during the training sessions,” said one of the coaches at the camp. “His talent is clear, and he deserves this opportunity to shine for India.”
News of Raza Khan’s selection was met with great happiness in Shahpura. Local residents, relatives, and sports fans gathered at his home to congratulate his father, Shabbir Hussain Khan. “We are very proud of Raza. His success is a shining example for all young people in our community,” said a neighbour. The atmosphere in Shahpura has been full of celebration and encouragement.
Mohammad Raza Khan comes from a humble middle-class family. Despite limited resources, his dedication, discipline, and passion for basketball have been unwavering. His journey serves as a strong reminder that with hard work and determination, barriers can be overcome.
Raza Khan’s achievement is also a proud moment for the Jaisalmer Academy, from where he hails. He is the ninth player from this academy to earn a place on the Indian basketball team, which speaks volumes about the academy’s contribution to nurturing young talent.
“The selection of Mohammad Raza Khan is a moment of great pride for Rajasthan and especially for the Muslim community,” said a local sports official. “His success shows that talent and commitment are found everywhere, regardless of background or economic condition.”
Residents of Shahpura are confident that Raza will not only represent India with distinction but also bring home a gold medal from the championship. “We all believe that Raza will make the country proud,” said a sports enthusiast in the town. “He is determined and ready to give his best on the international stage.”
Mohammad Raza Khan’s rise to the national team sends a strong message about the potential of young Indian Muslims in sports and other fields. It challenges negative stereotypes and shines a light on the hard work and talents often overlooked in smaller towns and communities.
This young athlete’s story encourages many others to follow their dreams, showing that with persistence, even those from modest beginnings can reach national and international levels of success.
Mohammad Raza Khan prepares to take part in the South Asian Basketball Championship, the hopes and prayers of Shahpura and Rajasthan go with him. His journey is a symbol of courage, dedication, and the bright future that awaits India’s youth when given equal opportunity.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick> India> Indian Muslims / by Mohammed Bin Ismail / June 05th, 2025
Indian middle-distance runner Mohammed Afsal Pulikkalakath created history by becoming the first Indian athlete to run the men’s 800m in under 1 minute and 45 seconds. Competing at the Memoriał Czesława Cybulskiego athletics meet in Poznań, Poland, Afsal clocked a remarkable 1:44.93, breaking his own national record, reported the Ommcom News.
The 29-year-old athlete, who serves as a Junior Warrant Officer in the Indian Air Force, had previously set the national record at 1:45.61 during the UAE Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai earlier this year. Despite finishing sixth in Heat A/1 in Poznań, Afsal’s performance was a personal best and a significant milestone for Indian athletics.
The top three spots in the heat were claimed by Polish runners, with Maciel Wyderka taking the lead with a meet record and personal best of 1:44.23, followed closely by Filip Ostrowski (1:44.25) and Patryk Sieradzki (1:44.26).
The Czeslaw Cybulski Memorial, part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver, is named after the renowned Polish coach Czesław Cybulski, a key figure in Poznań’s sports history.
Hailing from Palappuram in the Palakkad district of Kerala, Afsal trains in Bengaluru under the Reliance Foundation program. He has previously won a silver medal at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, and another at the 2019 South Asian Games in Kathmandu, Nepal. His journey to fame began in 2013 when he clinched gold at the inaugural Asian School Track and Field Championships in Malaysia.
With this record-breaking run, Mohammed Afsal continues to raise the bar for Indian athletics on the global stage.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Markers of Excellence> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / July 06th, 2025
Siblings Nargis Fatima, Saba Fatima and Mohammed Zainulabedein on charting their own path in shooting
Narjis Fatima, A.M. Zainulabedin, and Saba Fatima with their father and coach Abbas / Photo: Nagara Gopal
On the first floor of Aga Mohammed Hussain’s house, Saba Fatima aims at the target as her sister Nargis Fatima and brother Mohammed Zainulabedein watch on. “I am very strict during practice and keep giving instructions,” laughs Saba. The trio do not indulge in the usual brother-sister spats and instead regularly practice on the home trainer range installed at home. These siblings make Hyderabad proud with their shooting achievements.
Interestingly, they are fulfilling their father Hussain’s dreams. Hussain has been shooting for the past 16 years and is a renowned shot. “Since I was into shooting, the children saw me and got guidance. The biggest advantage was that the weapons were at home,” recalls Hussain on how his children took to shooting. He also adds that his fatherly instincts do not come in the way of coaching. “When I am coaching I tend to forget I am their father. I am disciplined and strict and the results show. The only reason they have come up in the field at such a young age is because of their perseverance, discipline and dedication,” he says.
While Nargis Fatima won her first national medal at the age of 11, her aim is to make it to the Olympics. “By God’s grace both Saba and Zain are in the Indian national squad,” states Hussain. Saba, whose ranking is no. 4 is practicing to take part in shooting championship later this year. “Only the top three are sent by the sports ministry and she will be going at her own cost,” says Hussain.
Recently Saba, a D. Pharm student couldn’t go to Germany because of her final year exams. “D. Pharmacy is worse than medicine; it is a five-year course and I told her not to take it because she has to study a lot,” adds the father. However, he is more than glad with Zain’s performance and feels he will bring in laurels to the country. “Zain, whose ranking is number 5 is going for selection trials; Next year, he will be representing the country but getting into the Indian squad itself is a big achievement,” he points out.
Hussain speaks of his recent visit to Uttar Pradesh. “Youngsters are working very hard and one can see them practicing for even six hours,” he adds.
What do the girls do when not shooting? “I study or attend family parties,” laughs Saba. She feels Indian women shooters are charting their own path. “There is Heena Siddhu, who is making us proud,” she beams.
On the importance of having calm nerves during shooting, Hussain says, “For shooting, one needs a temperament that is extraordinarily soft and a synchronisation of multiple things; about 20 things happen in a fraction of a second and one needs to hone the technique and register it in the sub-conscious mind. Conscious mind is very powerful and the moment you shoot with it, you tend to lose everything. One needs to blindly follow what one has put in the training. Ninety percent shooters fail because they get excited and go in for score and don’t get the technique,” he explains.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Metroplus / by Neerja Murthy / October 18th, 2016
Mohammed Siraj scripted history with a stunning display of fast bowling at Edgbaston, claiming 6/70 to bowl out England for 408 in the second Test of the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. His fiery spell handed India a strong 180-run first-innings lead.
With Jasprit Bumrah absent, doubts hovered over India’s bowling attack. But Siraj, supported by Akash Deep’s four wickets, kept India firmly in control. This came despite a massive 303-run partnership between Harry Brook and Jamie Smith.
Siraj dismissed key English batters, including Zak Crawley, Joe Root, and Ben Stokes. He then ran through the tail, removing Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, and Shoaib Bashir.
This six-wicket haul is the first by a visiting pacer at Edgbaston since 1993. It is also the third-best performance by an overseas fast bowler at the venue.
At 31, Siraj joins an elite group of Indian pacers with five-wicket hauls in England. The others are Amar Singh, Chetan Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Ishant Sharma. This is his fourth five-for in Tests and his best performance in England.
Despite the long stand from Brook and Smith, India’s pace attack—led by Siraj—remained disciplined and aggressive. They kept the pressure on England and are now in a strong position to level the series.
India will aim to carry this momentum forward as the match enters a crucial phase.
Siraj’s brilliance echoes his historic Asia Cup 2023 performance—where he delivered one of the finest spells in a tournament final. His rise now mirrors the legacy of legends like Chaminda Vaas and Anil Kumble.
Siraj has firmly established himself as India’s new pace spearhead.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> > by Mohd. Naushad Khan / July 05th, 2025
From a modest Kolkata gym to the world podium, kettlebell champion Danish Naushad lifts dreams without the weight of support — just sheer will.
Danish Naushad is raising the tricolour at an international level, one lift at a time / All pictures by Soumyajit Dey
In 2017, Danish Naushad was training for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and following standard hypertrophy routines at a modest Kolkata gym. It was there that a chance encounter with a little-known piece of equipment — a kettlebell — set him on a path he had never imagined.
“A trainer named Saikat introduced me to it. It was kept in a dusty corner. We started with swings, and I found it refreshing, different,” said 28-year-old Danish.
Kettlebell: The unseen sport
Kettlebell lifting — or Girevoy Sport as it’s known in Russia — is an endurance-based strength sport. Unlike Olympic weightlifting that focuses on one-rep max lifts, kettlebell events run for 10 minutes or more, demanding relentless reps without setting the weight down.
Danish Naushad practicing at his home gym
“You need technique, lungs, and legs — not just muscle. That’s what people don’t understand,” Danish explained.
From NDA dream to a new calling
Danish was on track to join the NDA but couldn’t pursue it due to personal reasons. He fell into depression and briefly left home. But his family pulled him back — and his gym community, too. “My gym owner said, why not go ahead with fitness? That changed my life.”
He became a certified trainer under NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) and began coaching clients worldwide. Danish is also a certified strength training specialist under ISSA (International Sport Sciences Association). He reinvested his earnings into his athletic journey — even selling his dream Kawasaki Z900 to build a home gym.
Early Failures and the Ego Check
Danish’s raw strength took him through his first competitions, but failure at a 2018 state meet — where he only received a participation certificate — deeply affected him. “That shook me. I was overconfident, relying only on my shoulders.”
Danish built his home gym by selling off his dream bike, a Kawasaki Z900
That humbling led him to coach Arnab Sarkar, a pioneer of the kettlebell sport in India. “From 2019, real training began. I learnt that patience and technique matter more than brute strength.”
National records and online competitions
Danish’s breakthrough came in 2020 with a national record of 155 jerks using double 16 kg bells. When Covid hit, he embraced the new normal — online competitions.
“We hosted the world’s first online kettlebell championship from India. Judged live over video calls. Over 100 athletes joined. It kept the sport alive.”
Setbacks and redemption
In 2022, a missed visa meant he couldn’t compete at the IGSF (International Gira Sport Foundation) World Championship in Greece. But luck turned when the IUKL(International Union of Kettlebell Lifting) hosted a world event in Delhi later that year. Danish won bronze — his first world medal.
From missing a tournament due to visa issues to securing gold at the next, Danish’s story is an inspiring one
He followed that up with an emotional win at the 2024 IKMF (International Kettlebell Marathon Federation) World Championship in Denmark, clinching gold in the double pentathlon — an event he hadn’t prioritised. “I was shocked. I was going to the washroom and heard my name being called.”
Spain 2025: Against the odds
Preparing for Spain’s 2025 IKMF Championship, Danish dropped nearly 8kg in weight and doubled down on training. He lifted 52 reps in the 40 kg event — a personal best, finishing fourth against heavier European lifters.
Danish posing with his most recent gold won at Spain’s IKMF Championship 2025
But once again, it was the pentathlon — the side event — where he struck gold. “The event I didn’t bet on gave me the biggest reward. It’s always like that.”
Kettlebell in India: No support, all heart
Despite multiple international medals, Danish receives no government support. “There’s no funding, no recognition. We pay for our own visas, travel, gear.”
He dreams of a future where kettlebell lifters are backed by the government like in Russia — where athletes are promoted in the army or railways for their achievements. “Here, we don’t even get a pat on the back. But we keep going.”
Training the next generation
Danish now coaches aspiring athletes, including those who can’t afford international travel. “I’ve taken athletes to nationals on my own dime. One under-60 kg lifter I train could be among India’s best.”
He sustains himself as a full-time online coach, training clients across the US, Mexico, and Canada via Zoom. “I do assessments, build personalised programs — some people just have a rope or dumbbell at home. I make it work.”
Faith, focus and Bernabeu dreams
Danish credits his spiritual journey — one that deepened post-Ramzan in 2024 — for helping him stay grounded. “I pray before every event. Not to win, but to not come back sad. That matters more.”
Danish has his gold winning jersey from Denmark framed. His idol is Cristiano Ronaldo and being able to see Real Madrid’s stadium was a dream come true for him
In Spain, he fulfilled a childhood dream — visiting Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium. “The quote I remember is, ‘The jersey can be stained with blood, sweat, and mud — but never with shame.’ That’s how I see my Indian jersey too.”
The road ahead: Hungary and beyond
Next stop: Hungary, for the IKMF World Championship in November 2025. For now, he’s training without a coach — building his own programs and aiming to hit CMS (Candidate for Master of Sport) and then MSWC, the highest global kettlebell rank.
“We dream of beating a Russian in Russia one day,” he says with a smile. “That’s the moment we’ll know we’ve done something.”
A final word
Danish has made his aspirations clear and he hopes backing will come at some point in his career
Eight years into his journey, Danish Naushad still doesn’t consider himself accomplished. “When I win a world medal under the Indian flag — with government recognition — only then will I say I’ve made it.”
Until then, the man from Kolkata will keep lifting. Not just weights — but the hopes of a sport still struggling for a place under India’s sporting sun.
source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph Online / Home> My Kolkata> People / by Debrup Chaudhuri / June 25th, 2025
