- Nepali father and son, Gyanendra and Adrian Chhetri, won three silver medals at the 4th World Karate Championship in Crawley, England.
- Thirteen-year-old Adrian and his father secured individual silvers alongside a joint silver medal in the Family Kata Open event.
- Both athletes are black belts and instructors, with Gyanendra also serving as a senior engineer and a popular Nepali lyricist.
- The duo trains together four evenings weekly, demonstrating that age is no barrier to achieving high-level success in competitive sports.
London: In an inspiring story of shared passion and cross-generational success, a Nepali father and son have claimed three silver medals at the 4th World Karate Championship, held from October 9 to 11 at the K2 Arena in Crawley, England.
Thirteen-year-old Adrian Chhetri earned a silver medal in the Under-15 category, while his 52-year-old father, Gyanendra Chhetri, matched his success with a silver in the Under-60 division. Demonstrating their combined skill and coordination, the duo went on to secure a third silver medal together in the Family Kata Open event.
Organized by the World Union of Martial Arts Federations, the international competition brought together martial artists from 172 countries. Originally scheduled to take place in Berlin, the venue was later relocated to Crawley.
A Young Champion's Journey
Adrian, a Ninth-Grade student at Canon High School in Queensbury, London, began his karate journey in 2017 at the age of five. Over the years, his dedicated training has yielded impressive results.
He clinched gold in the Under-15 division at last year’s championship, after previously placing in the Under-10 category and taking home a medal from the 2024 European Championship. Today, Adrian holds a first-degree black belt and works as a junior karate instructor.
Following in His Son's Footsteps
For his father, Gyanendra—a senior engineer who has served with Transport for London for 24 years—the martial art began simply as an activity to support his son.
"I initially just went along to drop Adrian off and watch him train," Gyanendra recalled. "Over time, my own interest grew, and I decided to step onto the mat myself."
That decision turned into a remarkable competitive career. Gyanendra previously won gold in the Under-50 category and is now a certified black belt and senior instructor authorized to conduct dan grading and issue official certifications. Next month, he plans to sit for his Category C coaching and judging license.
The pair maintain a disciplined schedule, training together four evenings a week—Monday through Thursday, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Originally from Gokarna, Kathmandu, Gyanendra hopes his story encourages others to stay active regardless of age.
"Age should never be a barrier to participating in sports or staying healthy," he said, adding that he plans to transition into full-time karate coaching after retiring from engineering.
Engineering, Martial Arts, and Music
Beyond his professional career and athletic pursuits, Gyanendra is also an accomplished lyricist.
His popular track Paisa Paisa, performed by Tilak Basnet and Bandana Pandey, achieved widespread popularity alongside its music video. Another of his compositions, Peer Nagar Niramaya—a song celebrating cultural heritage, nature, and love—has gathered millions of views on YouTube.
For the Chhetri family, karate has evolved from a pastime into a deep, bond-building lifestyle. As Adrian continues to hone his craft as both a fighter and mentor, his father remains eager to guide the next generation of martial artists for years to come.
