SAR news

Panaji, Jan 3:  Sasha 16, Cara 13 and Kristina 10 are sisters. They are Goa's karate kids. In March last year at the All Goa Karate championships, Sasha won a gold and a bronze medal, while Cara bagged silver. All three girls participated in the recent All Goa IV Shotokan Karate Do at the indoor stadium in Campal, near Panjim.

There were around 500 other participants. Sasha bagged the gold medal in the under-21 kumite category and a silver medal in the kata category. Cara bagged a bronze medal in the under-16 kumite category. Kristina is slowly picking up the tricks of the sport.

Their father Alex Saldanha owns Emerald Lawns, a popular wedding reception venue in Parra village in north Goa. The notion that girls from affluent families are spoilt does not hold true of the Saldanha sisters. "I'm just pushing them to learn all these sports," exclaims Alex, "just to be tough." He continues with pride, "When Sasha was seven months I literally pushed her into the water to learn swimming. I have taught them not to fear anything." Their mother Lily says, "I never go and watch any of their tournaments, as I cannot bear to see them being hit. I always warn them to protect their faces."

Since the family business is hosting parties and wedding receptions and catering the food, the girls never need to party or go out. Their parents take the girls out to restaurants in Goa and abroad. So Sasha and Cara practise two hours daily either on the punching bags or sparring among themselves. "While sparring we forget that we are sisters and fight as opponents," explains Sasha. "Since Cara is good at kicks and I at blows, we keep improving our weak points among ourselves."

Sasha is a 12th standard student of science and Cara is in class VIII. They manage their studies and their other interests with a strictly disciplined routine. "I hardly ever socialise or roam around with friends," says Sasha, who is learning to strum the guitar. She loves watching fights like boxing and WWF on television and riding big motorbikes. "I would love to join the Armed Forces, as I'm fascinated by the uniform and the zeal to fight for one's country," gushes Sasha.

Cara explains, "I chose this sport for self-defense, mental alertness and discipline. Karate also helps me to control my emotions, like my anger." She is into all sorts of adventure sports like trekking and hiking. She is fascinated by the planets and aspires to become an astronaut.

Sasha and Cara attribute their success to Sensai Rockson and Sempai Aaron Gomes who conduct classes twice a week at their father's Emerald Lawns.