Patna, Bihar – Md Zabir Ansari, a dedicated student from Patna University, has brought immense pride to his university and state by winning the gold medal in the 75 kg weight category at the All India Inter University Karate Competition. This event, held at Atal Bihari Vajpayee University in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, from January 17 to 22, 2023, saw the participation of 2,500 athletes from around 200 universities across India.
Following his triumph in Bilaspur, Zabir went on to compete in the national competition in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, from February 17 to 19, 2023. His exceptional performance there added yet another gold medal to his growing list of achievements.
Zabir hails from Tumbapahar, a small village in the Jhajha block of Jamui district. He stands out as the first person from his village to attend Patna University. Despite his humble beginnings—his mother works as a beedi maker and his father is a school teacher—Zabir has excelled in karate, driven by his passion and relentless dedication.
His journey in karate is marked by numerous victories. Zabir has won the Bihar State Karate Championship gold medal seven times in a row and claimed gold in the 75 kg category at the 12th All India Open National Karate Competition in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from December 22 to 25, 2022. His consistent performance has earned him the National Level Rajya Khel Samman from the Bihar government four times.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to sports, Zabir received the Mahatma Buddha Samman from the Sankat Haran Sahyog Samiti at the Bihar Industries Association in Patna on December 11, 2022.
Despite his impressive track record, Zabir faces significant financial challenges. His family’s savings have been exhausted in supporting his travel and training needs.
"I can’t afford to travel on my own anymore. I request the government and anyone who wishes to support me to help me continue winning medals for our country," Zabir appeals.
Zabir’s talent and perseverance have earned him medals at both national and international grounds. He was a silver medalist at the South Asian Karate Championship and has proudly represented India in competitions in Sri Lanka, China, Turkey, and Egypt. He also recently competed in an International karate competition in Canada.
Now, Zabir is preparing for the upcoming International karate competition in Nepal, scheduled to be held from May 31 to June 1, 2024. He will be departing on May 29, 2024. This competition will feature athletes from seven countries, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Nepal. Zabir has been rigorously training 6 to 8 hours daily with his coach, Rahul Kumar. Coach Rahul expressed confidence in Zabir, stating, "Just as Zabir outperformed 188 universities to win gold at the All India University competition, we are hopeful he will bring home the gold again, honoring his university, state, and country."
Zabir’s achievements have been celebrated by many, including the Vice-Chancellor of Patna University, Girish Kumar Choudhary, who hailed Zabir's success as a proud moment for the university. Former Patna University volleyball team captain Ranbir Nandan also lauded Zabir’s hard work and contributions to the state’s sports reputation.
As Zabir prepares for the international competition in Nepal, he remains hopeful for sponsorship and support. His story is a testament to his resilience and the heights that athletes like him can reach with the right opportunities and backing.