Tajamul Islam
{{Short description|Indian kickboxer (born 2008)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
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| image = 8-year-old World Kickboxing champion Tajamul Islam from J&K, meeting the Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (IC), Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Shri Vijay Goel, in New Delhi (1).jpg
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| birth_place = Tarkpora, Bandipora district, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| occupation = Academy owner and coach{{cite web | last=Desk | first=Careers | title=Meet BYJU's Young Genius From Jammu and Kashmir | website=News18 | date=2022-01-17 | url=https://www.news18.com/news/education-career/award-winning-aap-developer-world-kickboxing-champion-meet-byjus-young-genius-from-jammu-kashmir-4665278.html}}
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| sport = kickboxing
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Tajamul Islam (born December 2008) is an Indian kickboxer and coach from the Bandipora district in Jammu and Kashmir. An advocate for young women to have access to education and opportunities to succeed, she is a campaign ambassador for the Government of India’s Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative.
She is the world's youngest kickboxing champion, and the first Kashmiri, having won a sub-junior world championship at 7 years old. After denouncing the lack of sport facilities in the region, she opened her own martial art academy where she mentors and trains hundreds of young girls to compete in kickboxing.
A recipient of several awards, including the Jammu and Kashmir Government State Award and the 2021 Kashmir Excellence Award; she was named as one of CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2022 nominee for her efforts and achievements, running a successful martial art academy at only 13-year-old.
Biography
Islam was born in December 2008 in Tarkpora, a remote village in the Bandipora district of the Kashmir Valley.{{cite web | title=Teen Kickboxer – Tajamul Islam | website=Global Indian Youth | date=2022-08-06 | url=https://www.globalindian.com/youth/story/global-indian-exclusive/teen-kickboxer-tajamul-islam-brings-the-winds-of-positivity-to-the-valley}} She started kickboxing and wushu at age 6 after joining a local martial arts academy, Islam trained in an open field with makeshift apparatus while studying at the Indian Army's Goodwill School.{{cite web |date=2016-07-06 |title=Meet Tajamul Islam, 8, the Extraordinary Kickboxing Champion From Kashmir |url=https://thewire.in/sport/tajamul-islam-extraordinary-kickboxing-champion-kashmir |website=The Wire}}
= World's youngest kickboxing champion =
At age 7 she won India's sub-junior National Kickboxing Championship, held at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi, after defeating a 13-year-old opponent. She became the youngest female to win a national kickboxing competition.{{cite web | title=7-year-old Kashmiri Tajamul Islam to represent India at World Kickboxing Championships | website=The Indian Express | date=2016-04-28 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/tajamul-islam-to-represent-india-at-world-kickboxing-championships-in-italy-2774877}} In March 2016 she became the youngest gold medalist in the state-level Wushu Championships. In November she won the sub-junior World Kickboxing Championship in Italy, after winning six fights in five days, in the under-9 category, becoming the World's youngest kickboxing champion at age 7.{{cite web |author=The Tribune India |date=2016-11-20 |title=Kashmir's young champ proves a point |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/features/kashmir-s-young-champ-proves-a-point-328861 |website=Tribuneindia News Service}}
= Advocacy =
According to the BBC Islam became an inspiration for the youth and especially for girls,{{cite web |date=2016-12-01 |title=The nine-year-old Kashmiri girl who rules the kickboxing world |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-38143228 |website=BBC News}} as Kashmir's conservative society can frown upon girls playing outdoor sports and social stigma and gender inequality often discourage them from taking up sports.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-11 |title=India@76: Meet seven Indians fighting brave new fights, this side of freedom |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/art-culture/india76-meet-seven-indians-fighting-brave-new-fights-this-side-of-freedom-101691764531221.html |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} Her success was described as contributing to shatter the glass ceiling, by motivating Kashmir women to practice and even choose sport as a career,{{cite web |date=2023-03-01 |title=Women in Kashmir take up sports as a career despite terrorist attacks on sports venues |url=https://theprint.in/india/women-in-kashmir-take-up-sports-as-a-career-despite-terrorist-attacks-on-sports-venues-2/1410053 |website=ThePrint}} during his monthly radio show, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged others to emulate her.{{cite web |date=2017-03-22 |title=Tajamul Islam to Sports Minister: Recognising Kickboxing will encourage others |url=https://www.ummid.com/news/2017/March/22.03.2017/tajamul-islam-kick-boxing-champion-meets-sports-minister.html |website=ummid.com}} In 2017 in a social media post, Islam criticised the Jammu & Kashmir government over the lack of sports facilities, poor infrastructure, lack of equipment and absence of sport coaches, accusing them of false promises.{{cite web |date=2017-03-18 |title=Kashmiri kickboxing champion Tajamul Islam's academy gets Rs 10 lakh aid |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/kashmiri-kickboxing-champions-academy-gets-rs-10-lakh-aid/593471 |website=Financialexpress}}{{cite web |date=2017-05-03 |title=SPORT Archive – Page 224 |url=https://kashmirobserver.net/sports/page/224 |website=Kashmir Observer}}{{cite web |date=2017-03-16 |title=EXCL: Kick boxing champion Tajamul Islam exposes Govt's unkept promises – Sports News |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/video/excl-kick-boxing-champion-tajamul-islam-exposes-govt%E2%80%99s-unkept-promises/57622 |website=TimesNow}} After that video went viral,{{cite web |date=2017-03-16 |title=Tajamul Islam viral video: It is state's responsibility to nurture players, says Sunita Godara |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/tajamul-islam-viral-video-states-responsibility-nurture-players-144711504.html |website=Yahoo News}} the President of the state's sports council agreed to release some funding towards local sports facilities.{{cite web |last=Vyas |first=Ankur |date=2017-03-19 |title=J&K govt releases ₹10 lakh for Tajamul Islam's academy |url=https://inshorts.com/en/news/jk-govt-releases-₹10-lakh-for-tajamul-islams-academy-1489908284637 |website=Inshorts – Stay Informed}} In March 2017 she asked Sports Minister Vijay Goel in a meeting that his ministry officially recognise the sport of kickboxing{{cite web |date=2017-03-22 |title=Tajamul Islam demands affiliation for KFI from Govt. |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/tajamul-islam-demands-affiliation-kfi-govt-062247880.html |website=Yahoo News}} so that "children like me can get inspired to learn".
In 2016 she called for the Indian government to find a solution to the Kashmir issue and "address the pain and agony of Kashmiri people".{{cite web |last=Desk |first=Kashmir Scenario |date=2016-11-22 |title=Govt Should Solve Kashmir Issue Says Tajamul Islam |url=https://thekashmirscenario.com/govt-should-solve-kashmir-issue-says-tajamul-islam |website=The Kashmir Scenario}}{{cite web |date=2016-12-24 |title=Tajamul Islam |url=https://www.milligazette.com/news/1-community-news/15227-tajamul-islam |website=The Milli Gazette – Indian Muslims Leading News Source}}{{cite web | title=Will ask Modi to solve Kashmir crises, says kickboxing champion Tajamul Islam | website=Kashmir.Today | date=2016-11-23 | url=https://kashmir.today/will-ask-modi-solve-kashmir-crises-says-kickboxing-champion-tajamul-islam}} In an interview with the Times of India while in Mumbai attending a conference on women empowerment, she emphasised again the importance of empowering girls.{{cite web |last=Sharma |first=Garvita |date=2018-07-19 |title=Tajamul Islam: Humour helps me while facing my opponents in the ring |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spotlight/tajamul-islam-humour-helps-me-while-facing-my-opponents-in-the-ring/articleshow/65040532.cms |website=The Times of India}} In 2017, film producer Mushtaq Nadiadwala announced having secured the rights for a biopic about Islam with writer Shibani Bathija working on a script about her life.{{cite web |date=2017-04-07 |title=Film on Kashmiri kickboxer Tajamul Islam in the making |url=https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=446246 |website=Daijiworld.com}}{{cite web |date=2017-06-03 |title=PRODUCER MUSHTAQ NADIADWALA SOON TO MAKE A FILM ON TAJAMUL ISLAM |url=https://nasheman.in/producer-mushtaq-nadiadwala-soon-to-make-a-film-on-tajamul-islam |website=Nasheman}}
In June 2018 she was featured in a UN Women music video among other Indian women achievers from across different sections of society "to inspire women and girls across India and beyond, and spread the message – that women have the right to live a life on their terms, and the right to make their own choices."{{cite web |last=Aranha |first=Jovita |date=2018-06-29 |title=A Powerful Ode to Indian Women, UN's New Anthem Is Winning Nation's Heart! |url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/147936/video-un-women-mujhe-haq-hai |website=The Better India}} Her story has been called "a shining beacon of hope for young Kashmiri women who wish to break free from being relegated to the backseat".{{cite web |last=Bhat |first=Rooh |date=2020-07-07 |title=A New Dawn For Women in Kashmir |url=https://kashmirrootstock.com/2020/07/07/a-new-dawn-for-women-in-kashmir |website=Kashmir RootStock}}
= Academy owner =
In 2019, at the age of 11 and with her father's help, Islam started her own kickboxing academy Haider Sports Academy in Bandipora where she trains young girls to compete in kickboxing.{{cite web |date=2023-03-01 |title=Women in Kashmir take up sports as a career despite terrorist attacks on sports venues |url=https://theprint.in/india/women-in-kashmir-take-up-sports-as-a-career-despite-terrorist-attacks-on-sports-venues-2/1410053/ |website=ThePrint}}{{cite web |date=2022-08-06 |title=Teen Kickboxer – Tajamul Islam |url=https://www.globalindian.com/youth/story/global-indian-exclusive/teen-kickboxer-tajamul-islam-brings-the-winds-of-positivity-to-the-valley |website=Global Indian Youth}}{{cite web |last=Team |first=WION Video |date=2020-08-13 |title=Kashmir connect: Tajamul Islam, World kickboxing champion from Kashmir |url=https://www.wionews.com/videos/kashmir-connect-tajamul-islam-world-kickboxing-champion-from-kashmir-wion-special-series-320279 |website=WION}}{{cite web |date=2020-09-22 |title=Watch – How a 12-Year-Old Kashmiri Girl Became India's First Sub-Junior Kickboxing Gold Medalist |url=https://thewire.in/sport/watch-kashmiri-girl-kickboxing-gold-medal |website=The Wire}} In January 2022 her academy had expanded to include more than 700 students spread over six locations.{{cite web |last=Desk |first=Careers |date=2022-01-17 |title=Award Winning App Developer, World Kickboxing Champion: Meet BYJU's Young Genius From Jammu and Kashmir |url=https://www.news18.com/news/education-career/award-winning-aap-developer-world-kickboxing-champion-meet-byjus-young-genius-from-jammu-kashmir-4665278.html |website=News18}} The main academy is located in the local sports stadium, Muslim Abaad in Bandipora, all the other branches are located near government schools. In total the Academy employs 40–45 kickboxing coaches.{{cite web |last=Khosa |first=Aasha |date=2021-11-08 |title=In Bandipora, 500 kids want to be Tajamul Islam |url=https://www.awazthevoice.in/youth-news/in-bandipora-kids-want-to-be-tajamul-islam-7229.html |website=awazthevoice}}
After meeting with Islam Mehbooba Mufti, the head of government of Jammu and Kashmir called her achievements and boxing academy in Bandipora "a source of inspiration for Kashmiri girls".{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/MehboobaMufti/status/1355024478410051584 |website=Twitter|title=Mehbooba Mufti meets Tajamul Islaml}} In July 2021, Islam received a Kashmir Excellence Award.{{cite web |date=2021-07-24 |title=Local heroes in sports, arts receive 'Kashmir Excellence Awards' |url=http://risingkashmir.com/-00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000 |website=Rising Kashmir }}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In October 2022 she was nominated for a CNN-News18 Indian of the Year award for her achievements running a successful martial art school,{{Cite web |title=CNN-News18 Indian Of The Year 2022: Awards To Honour Sportspersons, Climate Warriors, Social Activists, And More – Forbes India |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/amp/article/news/cnnnews18-indian-of-the-year-2022-awards-to-honour-sportspersons-climate-warriors-social-activists-and-more/80441/1 |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=www.forbesindia.com}} while the same month, India's Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah, called her "India’s talented daughter" and "an inspiration to every Indian" after meeting her.{{cite web |date=2022-10-04 |title=14-year-old two-time world kickboxing champion Tajamul Islam inspiration to every Indian: Shah |url=https://theprint.in/sport/14-year-old-two-time-world-kickboxing-champion-tajamul-islam-inspiration-to-every-indian-shah/1154833 |website=ThePrint}}
On 22 October 2021 she returned to competition to win a second world title at the World Kickboxing Championship held in Cairo, in the under −14 category.{{cite web |last=Kaloo |first=Younis Ahmad |date=2022-12-08 |title=Kashmiri Kickboxing Champion Eyes An Olympic Medal |url=http://indiacurrents.com/kashmiri-kickboxing-champion-eyes-an-olympic-medal |website=India Currents}} In 2022 Islam gave a TEDx talk untitled: "How to become a world champion and the role of Family".{{cite web | title=How to become a world champion and the role of Family – Tajamul Islam – TEDxPoloView | website=YouTube | date=7 February 2022 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zo1F0dzocQ }} In February 2023, on the way to a competition, she had to be evacuated by the Army, alongside 13 boys and 11 officials and coaches from her Academy after a mudslide closed the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway.{{cite web |author=The Tribune India |date=2023-02-12 |title=Jammu-Srinagar highway reopens after three days |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/j-k/jammu-srinagar-highway-reopens-after-three-days-478920 |website=Tribuneindia News Service}}
Since 2020 her students have won several medals in state and national level championships which propped the local administration to help support her academy. Out of her 720 students, Islam also trains young women in self-defense.{{cite web | title=Kashmiri Teen Empowers Girls with Self-Defense through Kickboxing | website=Women’s Media Center | date=2023-07-28 | url=https://womensmediacenter.com/fbomb/kashmiri-teen-empowers-girls-with-self-defense-through-kickboxing | access-date=2023-09-07}}{{cite web | title=From international champion to changemaker: Tajamul Islam's mission to empower through kickboxing | website=Greater Kashmir | date=2023-07-23 | url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/kashmir/from-international-champion-to-changemaker-tajamul-islams-mission-to-empower-through-kickboxing | access-date=2023-09-07}}
= Continuing advocacy =
On International Women's Day, on 8 March 2023, she was invited to an event organised by the Indian Army in Kupwara where she gave a speech to motivate young local women to follow their dreams despite adversities. She talked about the challenges she faced in her own house and from society, about a time when a lot of people tried to dissuade her to follow her passion.{{Cite web |first=Morning|last=Kashmir |date=2023-03-08 |title=International Women's Day Celebrated By Indian Army In Kupwara |url=https://morningkashmir.com/kashmir/international-womens-day-celebrated-by-indian-army-in-kupwara/ |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=Morning Kashmir |language=en-GB}} In April 2023, she was listed in News18 Rising India Summit 2023, a summit honouring "extraordinary social impact created by ordinary people".{{cite web |date=2023-04-16 |title=News18 Rising India Summit 2023 honours India's real heroes: Best Media Info |url=https://bestmediainfo.com/2023/04/news18-rising-india-summit-2023-honours-india-s-real-heroes |website=www.bestmediainfo.com}}{{cite web |date=2023-06-13 |title=MSN |url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/video/news/news18-rising-india-tajamul-islam/vi-AA195lYc |website=msn.com}}
Awards and recognition
- November 2016: National Health Mission, Bandipora district (brand ambassador)
- December 2016: Received an award presented by Mehbooba Mufti, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, during a ceremony at Srinagar Indoor Stadium.{{cite web | last=Excelsior | first=Daily | title=Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti presenting an award to World Kick Boxing Champion, Tajamul Islam during function at Indoor Stadium in Srinagar. | website=Jammu Kashmir Latest News | date=2016-12-06 | url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/chief-minister-mehbooba-mufti-presenting-an-award-to-world-kick-boxing-champion-tajamul-islam-during-function-at-indoor-stadium-in-srinagar-excelsiorshakeel}}
- January 2017: Jammu and Kashmir Government State Award for "Outstanding contribution in the field of sport".{{cite web |last=Watch |first=Kashmir Sports |date=2016-11-15 |title=If we believe Sports Council, Tajamul to get State Award |url=https://www.ksportswatch.com/if-we-believe-sports-council-tajamul-to-get-state-award/ |website=Kashmir Sports Watch}}{{cite web |date=2017-01-26 |title=Tajamul Islam World Kickboxing Champion sings during a cultural program on India's 68th Republic Day at Sports Stadium Bandipora. She also got state award today in Sports Category this year. PIC/Suhail Masoodi |url=https://kashmirconvener.com/2017/01/26/tajamul-islam-world-kickboxing-champion-sings-during-a-cultural-program-on-indias-68th-republic-day-at-sports-stadium-bandipora-she-also-got-state-award-today-in-sports-category-this-year-picsuha |website=Kashmir Convener}}
- Government of India's Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign (brand ambassador){{cite web |last=Gupta |first=Pathikrit Sen |date=2023-03-27 |title=Rising India, Real Heroes: 'Boxer Beti' of Bandipora |url=https://www.news18.com/india/rising-india-real-heroes-boxer-beti-of-bandipora-7399237.html |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=News18}}{{cite web |last=Desk |first=Sports |date=2021-10-30 |title=Kashmiri Girl Wins Gold Medal in U-14 Category of World Kickboxing Championship |url=https://www.news18.com/news/sports/kashmiri-girl-wins-gold-medal-in-u-14-category-of-world-kickboxing-championship-4381742.html |website=News18}}
- 2017: featured on the J&K Bank 2017 "Pride of Paradise" calendar as one of twelve "talented youths" of the state.{{cite web |date=2017-01-01 |title=Finance Minister unveils J&K Bank Calendar 2017 |url=https://kashmirconvener.com/2016/12/31/pride-of-paradise-jk-bank-unveils-2017-calendar/ |website=kashmirconvener}}
- June 2018: featured in UN Women music video, among other Indian women achievers.
- September 2019: chosen by Women's Web amongst 10 Kashmiri Women Achievers{{cite web |last=Verma |first=Apoorva |date=2019-09-11 |title=10 Kashmiri Women Achievers That Make Us Proud! |url=https://www.womensweb.in/2019/09/10-kashmiri-women-achievers-that-make-us-proud-sept19wk3sr |website=Women's Web: For Women Who Do}}
- March 2020: listed in News Vibes of India "10 extraordinary women and their stories of courage”.{{Cite news |last=india |first=vibes |title=#SheInspiresUs: 10 extraordinary women and their stories of courage |work=News Vibes of India |url=https://newsvibesofindia.com/sheinspiresus-10-extraordinary-women-and-their-stories-of-courage/}}
- July 2021: Kashmir Excellence Award 2021.{{cite web |date=2021-07-24 |title=Local heroes in sports, arts receive 'Kashmir Excellence Awards' |url=http://risingkashmir.com/-00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000 |website=Rising Kashmir }}{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- January 2022: Pramerica Emerging Visionaries, Spirit of Community Award.{{cite web |title=Spirit of Community |url=https://www.spiritofcommunityindia.com |website=Spirit of Community}}
- January 2022: Inspiring Young Achiever, News18 TV Program: BYJU’S Young Genius Season 2.
- August 2022: listed in Paninwath’s Kashmiri Women Achievers{{cite web |date=2022-08-06 |title=Achievers Archives |url=https://paninwath.com/category/achievers/ |website=PANINWATH}}
- October 2022: CNN–News18 Indian of the Year (nominee)
- November 2022: listed in "Rising Beyond the Ceiling: Inspiring Muslim Women of Jammu & Kashmir"{{Cite web |title=Rising Beyond the Ceiling – Jammu & Kashmir |url=https://www.inspiringindianmuslimwomen.org/state-rbtc-100-under-development/jammu-kashmir |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=www.inspiringindianmuslimwomen.org |language=en-US}}
- April 2023: listed in News18 Rising India Summit 2023.{{cite web | title=News18 Rising India Summit – An Initiative by News18 Network | website=News18 | date=2023-06-11 | url=https://www.news18.com/rising-india-summit/}}{{cite web | title=News18 Rising India – Tajamul Islam | website=YouTube | date=26 March 2023 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ4oeKX8fp0}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zo1F0dzocQ Tajamul Islam TedxTalk]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feWd-4hC7v4 I will Fly, a 2021 short documentary about Tajamul Islam]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmrEobzDnH0 BYJUS Young Genius Season 2:Episode 1- Tajamul Islam]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Islam, Tajamul}}
Category:Indian women's rights activists
Category:People from Bandipore district
{{DEFAULTSORT:Islam, Tajamul}}