WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. — A Williamsville East junior, Aashi Parashar brought home some hardware after competing in the World Karate and Kickboxing Commission Championships in Portugal this week.
The annual martial arts competition attracts people from all over the globe. Competitors like Parashar are hand-selected by their country and compete against others in their same age group and/or weight class.
Parashar earned a Silver Medal in Team Sparring as a member of Team USA, alongside a Bronze Medal in Individual Sparring.
She qualified to compete in Portugal after placing first at a regional qualifier in St. Louis, MO, and then during a Team USA qualifier in Detriot, MI.
In an interview with the Williamsville Central School District, Parashar said she couldn't believe she qualified for the WKC World Championships.
"I couldn't believe it when it first happened and then it kind of registered, I was like 'Oh my goodness, I just did that,'" said Parashar.
She added that she's been competing in martial arts since she was very young.
"I've been doing it since I was three but I think it kind of started when I started winning, I was like 'Oh wait I'm kind of good at this' and I kind of just started doing it even more," Parashar said.
Her journey to Portugal almost didn't happen.
After undergoing hip surgery last December, it was unclear whether Parashar would be able to compete again but in her words, she made a "comeback."
Parashar said she wants to be a role model for others interested in pursuing martial arts.
One day, she hopes to compete at the Olympics.
