26 Medals at the 4th KIO National Karate Championship
Dehradun, June 15, 2025 — In a remarkable display of skill, determination, and discipline, the West Bengal State Karate team clinched a total of 26 medals at the 4th KIO National Karate Championship held in Dehradun. Competing in the sub-junior, cadet, and junior divisions, Bengal’s athletes emerged with 8 gold, 10 silver, and 8 bronze medals, securing an impressive fifth-place finish among all participating states and union territories.
At the heart of this achievement is the leadership of Hanshi Premjit Sen, 8th Dan Black Belt and President of the Karate Do Association of Bengal (KAB). His unwavering commitment to uplifting Bengal’s karate talent has played a pivotal role in this success. From coaching infrastructure to full team sponsorship, Sen ensured that every athlete was equipped with the resources they needed. Each team member received financial support totaling ₹7 lakh, medical insurance coverage of ₹2 lakh, and complete team kits for the tournament.
Hanshi Joydeb Mondal, General Secretary of KAB, also played a key role in shaping the team’s preparation. Together, Sen and Mondal have worked to raise the bar for karate in Bengal, combining high-quality training with a sharp competitive mindset.
Among the many standout performances, Bipasha Paul’s gold medal in the Kata category drew wide praise. She not only reclaimed her dominance after a close miss last year but also triumphed over AKF bronze medallist Alisha Setupati in a thrilling final. With this, Bipasha added a second national medal to her name under the official WKF-KIO banner.
The championship was conducted by the Karate India Organisation (KIO), India’s sole governing body for the sport, recognized by the World Karate Federation (WKF), the Asian Karate Federation, and the Indian Olympic Association. As such, all achievements at the event carry full legitimacy and national ranking implications.
Hanshi Premjit Sen reflected on the team’s success by saying, “This victory is not just about medals—it’s about mindset. Our athletes have shown what Bengal is capable of when given the right guidance and belief. The future of karate in our state is shining bright.”
The Bengal karate team’s performance in Dehradun is a testament to years of structured training and leadership vision. With continued support and preparation, Bengal is poised to become one of India’s dominant forces in karate, both nationally and internationally.
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