13-year-old Merzina Irani, student of J. B. Vachha High School for Parsi Girls, Dadar, won a Silver Medal in Kumite, at the Maharashtra State Sub Junior Karate Championship, 2022, held in Aurangabad, on 5^th – 6^th November, 2022, organised by the Karate-Do Association of Maharashtra. Merzina represented Mumbai City in the open weight category for 13-year-old girls (+55 kgs).

Alongside Karate, she also practices Judo and has won several Judo competitions too, including MSSA. Dynamic Merzina is also a trained and certified ballet dancer and has won awards in interschool elocution and essay-writing. English Literature and History are her favorite subjects at school. Speaking to Parsi Times, Merzina says, “Winning or losing doesn’t matter as much – participation is the greatest achievement. Each competition has something new to offer. I’m very proud and happy to represent my school and the community, and aim to continue achieving more. I’m grateful to my parents, brother, school principal, teachers and mentors for my success.”

Daughter of proud parents Naznin and Mehernosh Irani, residing at Dadar Parsee Colony, Merzina has been training for the past seven years under the guidance of Shihan Jehangir Shroff (7th Dan Black Belt) President and Chief Instructor of Yudansha Kobujitsu Karate-Doh Federation (India) and Jehangir Shroff Fitness Academy (JSFA).

Kudos to Merzeena! Here’s looking to many more future wins!