Yug Harsola, a 14-year-old karate sensation from Hyderabad, has made headlines with his remarkable achievements in martial arts. Recently, he opened up in a candid conversation with Cricadium, sharing his journey, challenges, and aspirations as he navigates the competitive world of karate.
From Gymnastics to Karate: A Passion Ignited
Yug’s journey began at the age of six when he transitioned from gymnastics to karate. “I was doing gymnastics at the age of 4, and when I was 6 years old, back in 2016, I changed my academy where they used to teach karate alongside gymnastics on alternate days. So, when I started doing both simultaneously, I got more inclined towards karate. Within 17-18 months, I got my black belt, and that’s how I knew I’d be good at the sport,” he revealed.
A significant turning point in Yug’s career came when he caught the eye of Keerthan Kondru, the head coach of the Indian Karate Team, during the 2019 state championship in Hyderabad. Recognizing his potential, Keerthan took Yug under his wing, providing guidance that has shaped him into the athlete he is today. Under Keerthan’s mentorship, Yug trained alongside national and international players, honing his skills and earning numerous medals since 2021.
Keerthan’s influence extends beyond the dojo; he has facilitated sponsorships for Yug’s international competitions, ensuring he has the necessary resources to excel. While Yug specializes in kata, he discontinued kumite after moving into the cadet age category (14-16). The kata uniforms, which can be quite expensive, were also sponsored by Keerthan after Yug became a national champion in 2024.
Despite facing obstacles, including the COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted his training and competition plans, Yug remained focused on his goal of representing India. After missing two opportunities to qualify for the Indian contingent, he finally made his mark at the All India Karate Championship in Dehradun, where he won a gold medal in the U-15 kata category.
Since then, Yug has amassed an impressive array of accolades, including:
- 2019: Telangana District and State Champion
- 2021: All India Winner Cup, Bhiwani, Haryana – 2 Gold Medals
- 2021: Memorial Cup, Vizag, Andhra Pradesh – 2 Gold Medals
- 2021: Seiko Kai National Championship, Dehradun, Uttarakhand – 1 Gold Medal
- 2022: Salem Yercaud Open, Tamil Nadu – 2 Gold Medals
- 2022: Karate League, Trichinapally, Tamil Nadu – 1 Gold Medal
- 2022: Commonwealth Championship Clubs, Birmingham, England – 5th Position (No Medal)
- 2023: Indo-Nepal Series, Vizag, Andhra Pradesh – 1 Gold and 1 Silver Medal
- 2024: Silent Knights Championship, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 1 Gold and 1 Silver Medal
- 2024: 8th South Asian Championship, Bhutan – Silver Medal
Overcoming Setbacks and Embracing Discipline
Yug’s journey has not been without its challenges. Reflecting on a recent setback, he said, “Before the Uttarakhand nationals, I was preparing for both the kata and kumite categories. However, I failed to qualify in the Kumite bracket as I lost in the first round at the state level. That was a setback for me as I had won that a few years ago.” Nevertheless, he views karate as more than just a sport; it is a life technique that instils discipline and respect, preparing him for unexpected challenges.
His recent victories, including gold medals at the Silent Knights Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and a silver medal at the 8th South Asian Championship in Bhutan, have earned him a spot on the Indian national junior team. He is set to compete in several other international championships this year, including the Asian Championship in the Philippines, the Commonwealth Championship in Bangladesh, and the World Karate Federation (WKF) World Championship in Italy.
Yug’s first international experience came in 2022 when he represented India at the Commonwealth Karate Championship in Birmingham. He recalled, “En route to Birmingham, we had a halt at Azerbaijan, where my seniors had their championship. There, I interacted with a lot of legendary players and Olympic medalists from the USA, Azerbaijan, and Japan, who helped me overcome my initial nervousness and gave me the confidence I needed.” Although he finished fifth in the tournament without a medal, the experience was invaluable.
A Family’s Support and a Young Athlete’s Routine
Yug’s success is also a testament to the unwavering support of his family. His mother, Gauri, plays a crucial role in maintaining his diet, ensuring he follows a protein-rich vegetarian regimen. “We are a vegetarian family and we try to inculcate a protein-rich veg diet only for Yug,” she said.
His father, Giriraj Harsola, shared insights into Yug’s daily routine, which begins early in the morning. “Yug’s daily routine starts at around 5:30-5:45 a.m. in the morning, when he goes for his first session in the karate academy, which is the fitness session. After that, we drop him to his school at around 7:45 a.m. He returns from his school at around 4 p.m. Between 4-6 p.m., he has to finish up his homework and tuition. From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., he has his evening karate class, and we usually tuck him into his bed by 10:30 tops so that he has ample time to rejuvenate himself.”
Despite his busy schedule, he finds time to enjoy football with friends and indulge in his love for Marvel movies and shows. “Whenever I get free time, I try to play football with my friends in my apartment complex. I don’t get much screen time, but when I do, I usually like to watch Marvel shows and movies,” he laughed.
Yug is also fond of travelling and loves the fact that the sport allows him to travel to several places. “I love to travel around. My favourite place so far that I’ve visited would be Fujairah in Dubai, where I went to attend WKF Athlete and the place was full of positive energy,” he shared.
Looking Ahead: The Future of a Young Karateka
As Yug Harsola continues to rise in the karate world, his aspirations remain high. He has already made a name for himself by winning numerous medals at various competitions, including the recent silver medal at the South Asian Championship in Bhutan. With his eyes set on upcoming international events, Yug embodies the spirit of resilience and dedication.
In his own words, he remarked, “This medal will always be the most special to me because, for the first time, I realized I was a part of something bigger than myself.” As he prepares for the challenges ahead, Yug Harsola is undoubtedly a name to watch in the world of karate, inspiring young athletes everywhere to pursue their dreams with passion and determination.
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