Nur-Jehan Shaikh - BASA Young Sports Personality of the Year Female

Girl power was evident at the British Asian Sports Awards with a number of females being recognised for excelling at their sport. But one girl really knows how to kick down barriers!

THERE is no quick way to be the best at what you do and it certainly does not happen overnight.

But it has taken just three years for Nur-Jehan Shaikh to establish herself as the No.1 karate kata fighter in Britain.

The talented 17-year-old only started competing in national competition in 2008 but has managed to climb up the rankings, win a whole host of titles along the way and become one of the most feared fighters on the international stage.

Shaikh has had an exciting 12 months performing kata, which is best described as a non-contact variation of karate where participants execute a number of well-choreographed moves in a perfect form.

She won the English and British championships as well as the British International championship and went on to represent England at the European Championships in Serbia.

Though the Barnet teenager came away without a medal, Shaikh said she wanted to compete regularly in international tournaments against top-level opponents.

"Although I didn't medal this time around, I learned so much and was so inspired by the athletes," said Shaikh.

"I'm hoping to use this experience for the selections of the World Championships this year, which are being held in Malaysia."

Shaikh was all smiles last weekend after being crowned the Young Sports Personality of the Year (female) at this year's British Asian Sports Awards (BASA).

She beat England hockey star Ashpal Bhogal and cricketer Natasha Shafqat to the prize and was lost for words when asked for her thoughts on winning the big prize.

“I’m speechless. This is a huge honour for me to be named Young Sports Personality of the Year, especially with two other strong contenders also in the category.

"It means a lot to me," she said. "It's one thing to win a championship, but to win an award for the recognition of my sporting achievements is something special, especially amongst people who have done so well in their sport."

Shaikh added: "As a kid, I loved watching kung fu films, and had great fun playing out action scenes with my brothers!

"Eventually, when I was five, my mum took me to my first karate lesson with my childhood friend. I loved it immediately, and have never looked back. Wax on, wax off!

"I started participating in competitions regularly when I was about 14, and one of my first major internationals was the Budo Nord World Open Championships in Sweden.

"I won in the kata and fighting event. It was then I realised I go further, and made the choice to concentrate on kata, as I prefer the grace and elegance of it."

Shaikh has ambitions of pursuing a career in medicine but is also hoping to take the world of karate by storm.

"I want to continue to compete internationally, representing England at senior level in European and World Championships.

"In the future, I would like to become a karate instructor, and also gain more experience judging and refereeing at competitions.

By Zohaib Rashid