This Wushu coach, battling brain tumour has all reasons to puff (up) with pride

Bivek Mathur. Updated: 12/11/2017 1:05:38 AM Front Page

Disciple, Riya Chib wins Gold in 63rd Nat’l C'ship

JAMMU: Arun Singh Charak, the Wushu coach of 17-year-old Riya Chib who won Gold medal in the 63rd National Wushu Championship held at Guwahati last week, might be swelling with pride today, even as he is battling with a cancerous tumour.
His disciple, an 11th standard student, Riya Chib, daughter of Surjeet Singh Chib of Muthi, bagged Gold in U-19 Girls event at 63rd National School Games 2017-18 in 65 Kg weight category.
Riya practises at the Fight Club Jammu owned by Arun Singh Charak where more than 50 other aspiring Wushu Champions practice every day.
Riya credited her coach, Arun Charak for the achievement.
She said, "I started practicing for Wushu at the age of 11 at Jammu's Parade Ground. Then I came to know about Charak Sir who has to his credit an international award and one Sher-e-Kashmir award in Wushu Championship and accordingly started practicing under him." "Last year, I got a chance to represent the state at the Under-17 National Junior Wushu Championship held at Pune but had to return empty-handed," she said.
Riya said, "My hard work under my coach, Charak Sir, paid me back this year and I am very happy on this achievement. My dream is to represent the state in international championships and win more gold medals for the state."
As greater than Riya's, is the story of her coach, Charak, who was more joyous than Riya, as he saw his dreams come true in his disciple's win.
Charak is suffering from brain tumour after sustaining injuries during a competition in Ranchi, Chattisgarh while he was playing for the state. "After the injury, I got a seizure and after some days, I started getting repeated seizures. On getting the doctors consulted, I got to know that a tumour had developed in my head-portion," Charak said.He said, "However the news of tumour left me shattered, but I didn't want to quit Wushu. Having limited options with me to treat the tumour, I sought help of some of my philanthropist friends and help started coming to my doors in the form of cheques and cash."
Charak said he didn't get any help from Jammu and Kashmir government.
"With whatever I had received from my friends, I started looking for options to treat the tumour at Delhi, Gurugram and J&K. I didn't stop playing and coaching the young Wushu players in the meantime."
"I am still under-treatment. The victory of Riya has literally made me a proud coach today. Now onwards, I will double my hard work to train other players to ensure their win in such events irrespective of my deteriorating health," he added.


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