Newsbytes
  • India
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
  • Inspirational
  • Career
  • Bengaluru
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Videos
  • Visual Stories
  • Reviews
  • Phone Reviews
  • Fitness Bands Reviews
  • Speakers Reviews
  • Find Cricket Statistics
Hindi
More
In the news
Indian Premier League (IPL)
French Open
Football
Chess
Premier League
Spanish Grand Prix
Newsbytes
Hindi
Newsbytes
User Placeholder

Hi,

Logout


India
Business
World
Politics
Sports
Technology
Entertainment
Auto
Lifestyle
Inspirational
Career
Bengaluru
Delhi
Mumbai
Videos
Visual Stories
Reviews
Phone Reviews
Fitness Bands Reviews
Speakers Reviews
Find Cricket Statistics

More Links
  • Videos

Download Android App

Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
 
Home / News / Sports News / The inspiring story of runaway kid-turned kickboxing champ Shivalak Raj
Sports

The inspiring story of runaway kid-turned kickboxing champ Shivalak Raj

The inspiring story of runaway kid-turned kickboxing champ Shivalak Raj
Written by Shiladitya Ray
Sep 24, 2017, 05:08 pm 2 min read
The inspiring story of runaway kid-turned kickboxing champ Shivalak Raj

27-year-old Shivalak Raj, hailing from the village of Madhepur in Bihar, is all prepared to contest for his spot in the World Kickboxing Championship 2017 to be held in Budapest, Hungary in November. However, Raj's ascent to the national kickboxing team has been anything but normal. The world-class sportsman ran away from his home nearly two decades ago. Read about his inspiring story.

Escape
Raj's escape from his abusive parents

Rebuked all the time by his stepmother, seven year-old Raj used to work as a domestic help at a judge's house to aid his father who ran a small grocery shop. One day, Raj, beaten up by the judge's son, objected to working there anymore. Upon hearing his complaint, Raj's father also thrashed him, following which Raj left home for Delhi.

Quote
Still rejected by his parents, Raj sometimes visits his brothers

"Even though I remembered my address, I didn't want to return. I went back only after becoming a national karate champion, but my father was indifferent. My brothers, however, cried. I sometimes meet my brothers," said Raj, who has returned home only once in 2006.

Delhi life
Raj's tough life on the streets of Delhi

Raj had planned to go to his uncle's house in Delhi, but couldn't find it. He resorted to working for a tea stall owner at the railway station in exchange for food and shelter. He soon quit his job and started ragpicking, following which he got picked by an NGO and was brought to a shelter home in Delhi.

Developing years
Raj's foray into the world of martial arts

Raj was admitted to school by the NGO, and around Class X, was taught karate. He showed a natural inclination for the martial art, and soon got enrolled at the YMCA. At the YMCA, Raj's talent got spotted by his coach who referred him to the Chhatrasal Stadium. In 2005, Raj won a silver medal at the Asian Games, thus kickstarting his career.

Career achievements
Raj's stellar career in the martial arts

Despite his tough and humble start, Raj excelled at karate and got a black belt. He went on to win 25 gold medals at the national level, and five gold and two silver medals in international karate championships. In 2010, he started kickboxing, and within a year, won a gold medal at the 18th National Kickboxing Championship.

Share this timeline
Facebook
Whatsapp
Twitter
Linkedin
Shiladitya Ray
Shiladitya Ray
Mail
Budding social scientist with a keen interest in social studies of science and the sociology of knowledge. Cinephile. Liverpudlian. Metalhead.
Latest
India
Asian Games
Related
Latest
Geek Pride Day: 5 signs you are a geek!
Geek Pride Day: 5 signs you are a geek! Lifestyle
Volkswagen Touareg EDITION 20 breaks cover: Check features
Volkswagen Touareg EDITION 20 breaks cover: Check features Auto
National Senior Health & Fitness Day: 5 senior-friendly physical activities
National Senior Health & Fitness Day: 5 senior-friendly physical activities Lifestyle
2022 French Open: Simona Halep and Paula Badosa advance
2022 French Open: Simona Halep and Paula Badosa advance Sports
Huawei unveils new MateBook laptops with 12th-generation Intel chipsets
Huawei unveils new MateBook laptops with 12th-generation Intel chipsets Technology
India
Centre reconstitutes Inter-State Council; Modi to be chairman: Details here
Centre reconstitutes Inter-State Council; Modi to be chairman: Details here India
Monkeypox: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan prepare to fight against virus
Monkeypox: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan prepare to fight against virus India
PM Modi meets Japanese IT giant head, discusses investment opportunities
PM Modi meets Japanese IT giant head, discusses investment opportunities World
Pakistan commits to fighting terrorism, seeks 'balanced ties' with world
Pakistan commits to fighting terrorism, seeks 'balanced ties' with world World
10,000 people stuck as Rishikesh-Yamunotri Highway safety wall collapses
10,000 people stuck as Rishikesh-Yamunotri Highway safety wall collapses India
More News
Asian Games
Asian Games 2022 postponed as China battles COVID-19 wave
Asian Games 2022 postponed as China battles COVID-19 wave Sports
Film being made on Pinki Pramanik, thanks to Ashoke Pandit
Film being made on Pinki Pramanik, thanks to Ashoke Pandit Entertainment
A look at the achievements of 'Flying Sikh' Milkha Singh
A look at the achievements of 'Flying Sikh' Milkha Singh Sports
Pace spearhead Ishant Sharma nominated for prestigious Arjuna Award
Pace spearhead Ishant Sharma nominated for prestigious Arjuna Award Sports
Rohit Sharma among four athletes recommended for Khel Ratna Award
Rohit Sharma among four athletes recommended for Khel Ratna Award Sports
More News
Related
Women's ODI Rankings: Mithali Raj jumps to sixth spot
Women's ODI Rankings: Mithali Raj jumps to sixth spot Sports
U-19 World Cup final hero Raj Bawa bought by PBKS
U-19 World Cup final hero Raj Bawa bought by PBKS Sports
Under-19 World Cup: Who is India's Raj Bawa?
Under-19 World Cup: Who is India's Raj Bawa? Sports
Mithali Raj moves up to second spot in ODI Rankings
Mithali Raj moves up to second spot in ODI Rankings Sports
Next News Article
Next News Article

Love Sports news?

Subscribe to stay updated.

Sports Thumbnail
India News Business News World News Politics News Sports News Technology News Entertainment News Auto News Lifestyle News Inspirational News
Career News Bengaluru News Delhi News Mumbai News Mukesh Ambani Indian Premier League (IPL) Karnataka Samsung Xiaomi West Bengal
Bihar Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Haryana Narendra Modi Arvind Kejriwal Tamil Nadu Gujarat Yogi Adityanath YouTube
Instagram Hollywood News Uttar Pradesh Kerala Netflix Bollywood News Mamata Banerjee Maruti Suzuki Rahul Gandhi Elon Musk
Shah Rukh Khan Chelsea FC OPPO Akhilesh Yadav Indian Cricket Team Apple Manchester United Salman Khan Cryptocurrency OnePlus
Amitabh Bachchan ICC Women's World Cup Vivo India vs Sri Lanka
About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive IPL 2022 Schedule IPL 2022 Points Table Find Cricket Statistics
Follow us on
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2022