V. Anitha Wins Gold While Seven Months Pregnant

V. Anitha from Chennai recently won a gold medal in the Individual Kata competition at the All India Karate Championship held in Vatakara, Kerala on August 29 and 30, 2026. Notably, she was seven months pregnant during the event.

The championship, organized by Alan Thilak Karate School, featured over 1,500 participants across various categories. The Kerala team won first place overall, while Tamil Nadu secured second.

Anitha’s journey to success began in Class III when she started learning karate. Despite facing family opposition during her school years, she stayed committed and eventually convinced her family of her passion for the sport. After completing her education and working in corporate roles, she decided to pursue karate professionally, driven by her lifelong love for the discipline.

Her mentorship under Hanshi A. Appuraj, an 8th Dan Black Belt with over 40 years of experience, played a crucial role in her development. Anitha has trained under him for over two decades and continues to benefit from his guidance at Alan Thilak Karate School.

Over the years, Anitha has achieved numerous medals at district, state, and national levels. She also received the Young Achiever Award from SIET College for her contributions to karate.

Now a 5th Dan Black Belt, Anitha teaches martial arts, self-defense, and personal safety to women and girls in corporate settings and schools. Her husband, Prithviraj, has consistently supported her career goals, which include empowering women through self-defence training.