Seraj Anwar/Patna

The influence of the right people at the right time can profoundly shape a person’s life. For Jabir Ansari, a youth from a modest background, a combination of mentorship and unwavering dedication has placed him on the international martial arts stage.

This is the story of a rising Karate star who started from a remote village in Bihar and won global recognition.

Jabir, a native of Tumba Pahad village in the Naxal-affected Jhajha block of Bihar’s Jamui district, has made India proud by winning multiple gold medals and establishing a unique identity in the world of martial arts.

Three people influenced him the most. His coach, Rahul Kumar, is a Bollywood icon, Akshay Kumar, who inspired him, and Dr. Faiyaz Ahmad Fyzie, a Pasmanda leader who supported him in his career.

Jaibir Ansari breceiving a trophy

“Being a student of Patna University is a matter of pride. The support and guidance I received helped me. I’ll always remain indebted to this institution,” says Jabir.

In June 2024, he participated in the Mayor Cup International Karate Championship in Kakarvitta, Mechinagar, Jhapa, Nepal, competing in the 75 kg weight category.

He faced tough competition from athletes representing Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Nepal. Jabir triumphed over all, clinching the gold medal for India.

His martial arts prowess has taken him to competitions in Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, Turkey, and Egypt. In 2017, he won silver at the South Asian Karate Championship in Sri Lanka.

He was shortlisted as a probable for the Asian Games in Indonesia and participated in the national training camp.

Jaibir Ansari at a championship

Born on February 1, 1997, Jabir's life reads like a filmy story. His father, Mohammad Imtiyaz Ansari, teaches at a village school, and his mother, Fahima Khatoon, received the Rashtriya Veermata Jijabai Award in 2018 for her exemplary social work.

The eldest of four siblings, Jabir developed a passion for action films in his early years. He often sneaked views of Akshay Kumar’s martial arts-packed movies. Those childhood dreams began to take shape when he moved to Patna for his higher secondary education and joined karate training.

His breakthrough came in 2015, when he competed in his first national tournament and won a silver medal, providing a much-needed boost to his confidence. From there, his ascent was rapid—six gold medals at state-level championships followed, along with a silver in 2017 and a bronze in 2019.

Much of Jabir’s success can be credited to coach Rahul Kumar, who provided rigorous training—often six to eight hours daily.

Rahul’s belief in Jabir was reaffirmed when the young athlete won gold at the All-India University Karate Championship, outshining competitors from 188 universities.

Jaibir Ansari being felicitated

That victory, however, was not just a personal achievement. It was made possible by collective community support. Lacking the funds to compete, Jabir received help after Dr. Faiyaz Ahmad Faizi, a prominent leader and activist from the Pasmanda community, made a heartfelt appeal on social media.

The call transcended barriers of caste, religion, and region, drawing support from across the nation. Jabir honored that faith by proudly raising the Indian flag on Nepali soil.

Currently pursuing a master's degree in Urdu at Patna University, Jabir’s success has been widely celebrated.

Urdu Department Head Prof. Shahab Zafar Azmi called it a moment of pride for the entire institution, while Sports Secretary Dr. Deep Narayan hailed him as a consistent inspiration.

Over the years, Jabir has been honored with multiple awards from both state and national bodies, including: Rashtriya Khel Ratna from the Bihar government, Champaran Satyagraha Award, Mahatma Gandhi Award, Mahatma Buddha Award, Shah Azeemabad Khel Ratna, Bihar Pratibha Samman, and Bihar Vaibhav Samman.

Jaibir Ansari at the venue of a championship

Today, Jabir is not just a decorated athlete—he is also a motivational coach and committed social worker. In December 2024, he was appointed coach of the Patna University karate team for the North-East Inter-University Karate Championship at Chandigarh University. Under his mentorship, his student Anurag Paswan also secured a medal.

In February 2025, Jabir launched a free self-defense and karate training initiative for girls through the Institute of Dynamic Martial Arts, aiming to empower young women with the confidence and skills to defend themselves.

Always humble, Jabir continues to credit others for his journey. Dr. Faiyaz Faizi believes that athletes like him do more than win medals—they transform societal perspectives. “Let us all pray that one day Jabir brings home an Olympic gold and dedicates it to Mother India,” Faizi said.

Jabir Ansari’s story is one of resilience, determination, and transformation. Despite limited resources and a challenging environment, he proved that discipline and passion can break barriers.

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His journey offers hope to countless young people from rural and underprivileged backgrounds, affirming that they, too, can dream big and succeed.