Bengaluru policeman’s son wins gold for India, defeats Pakistani rival in Muay Thai championship

Bengaluru ; Bringing laurels to Karnataka and the nation, Bengaluru-based athlete Shriharsha B.K., son of Banashankari Police Station Assistant Sub-Inspector Kantaraju, has won a gold medal at the prestigious International and Thai Martial Arts Asian Games 2026 held in Negombo, Sri Lanka.

Representing India in the Muay Thai competition, Shriharsha emerged victorious in the fiercely contested 57-kg category. In a high-intensity final bout, he defeated a competitor from Pakistan to clinch the gold medal and secure a major international achievement for the country.

The tournament was organised by the International Thai Martial Arts (ITMA) federation and featured participants from several Asian nations. Shriharsha’s impressive performance throughout the championship culminated in a memorable final victory, earning widespread appreciation from the sporting community.

Originally from Kanakapura taluk in Ramanagara district, Shriharsha’s journey to international success has been marked by determination and perseverance. Despite limited resources and the absence of significant government assistance, he continued to train rigorously with the support of his family, particularly his father, ASI Kantaraju.

His achievement has drawn praise from senior police officials. Recognising the young athlete’s contribution to India’s sporting success, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh invited Shriharsha and his father to his office and felicitated them. The Commissioner presented them with mementoes and congratulated the athlete for bringing pride to the Bengaluru Police family and Karnataka.

Speaking about his achievement, Shriharsha said competing against Pakistan in the final was a challenging experience and winning a gold medal for India was a matter of immense pride. He noted that he had reached the international stage through hard work and dedication despite financial constraints and a lack of institutional support.

The young martial artist said his ultimate dream is to represent India at the Olympics and other global sporting events. He expressed hope that greater financial assistance and encouragement from the government would help athletes like him achieve even greater success on the international stage.

Shriharsha’s triumph is being celebrated as an inspiring example of dedication, perseverance and sporting excellence, highlighting the immense talent emerging from Karnataka.