New adventure sees Anisha get gold medal

Anisha in her Taekwondo kit

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TWELVE-year-old Anisha Islam is used to travelling far and wide as the star of her own story books.

But the Chadderton girl embarked on a new adventure, representing Oldham at the Yorkshire Olympic Taekwondo Tournament and going on to win a gold medal.

Anisha, from the children's books Anisha's Adventures, joined Oldham Horizon Taekwondo Club in Featherstall Road, where she proved to be a natural at the sport.

Within ten months, she represented Oldham in four big national tournaments. The latest was the Doncaster 1-2-1 Tournament held at the Dome, where fighters from all over the country came to show off their skills.

Confidence

Anisha, a Year 8 pupil at Newman College, fought fighters more experienced than her to walk away with the gold medal.

Anisha has taken up various activities over the years, including dance and boxing, but it was taekwondo that took her fancy, as she liked the challenge.

Her younger brother Miraaj (5) was so inspired by his big sister that he will be following in her footsteps when he turns six.

Anisha said: "My dad gave me the opportunity to try different sports to see what I really enjoyed and it's definitely taekwondo for me.

"This has given me the chance to meet and make new friends, we're like a family. I stay fit, takes me away from technology, it gives me confidence and I get lots of chances to travel around the country and make my dad proud.

"I hope I can inspire other girls to take part in the sport. I really want to thank my dad for all his support and my coach Rooji Karim for believing in me."

Rooji added: "Anisha is a great student. The progress she has made over the last 10-11 months has been commendable and she is a credit to the team.

"She already inspired several other girls to take up the sport. Anisha was honoured as the Most Improved Fighter of the Year at our annual awards evening."

Anisha's dad Moinul Islam (40), a senior learning mentor at Oldham Academy North, published the colourful and creative book Anisha's Adventures in 2011.

In the book, Anisha is given magical items by her grandparents - including a necklace that enables her to time-travel.

Mr Islam is in the process of getting more books in the Anisha's Adventures series published.

"I was jumping up and down," Mr Islam said about his daughter's victory.

"She fought a black belt with two years' more experience than her. It took away all her fears. She realises belts don't matter. She makes me so proud."