Mysore/Mysuru: State No.1 Karate Kata Champ Deia S. Urs, a PG student in Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Mysore, Mysuru, secured bronze medal in All India Inter-University Karate Championships 2022-2023 held at the Indoor Stadium of Atal Bihari Vajpayee University, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, from Jan. 17 to 22. More than 2,000 karatekas from 174 Universities across India took part is this Championship.

Faced by a very stiff competition from her opponent, in the semifinals, Deia lost to Mesom Singhi of Guru Kashi University by a narrow margin of 0.6 points.  While Mesom Singhi secured 22.40 points, Deia could manage only 21.80 points. In the bronze medal bout, Deia secured 24.00 points and defeated her opponent Nidhi Singh of Pataliputra University, who secured 20.00 points, thus clinching bronze for University of Mysore in the women’s individual kata category for the second time. 

Deia Urs is the first and the only karateka from Karnataka to win a medal in the individual kata category for the 2nd consecutive time.

Deia Urs will be representing University of Mysore at the Khelo India Games University Games to be held at Lucknow in March 2023. Top 8 finishers in their respective categories at the All India Inter University Karate Championships are eligible to compete at the Khelo India Games.

Deia Urs is trained by her father B.S. Srinath Urs, a certified karate trainer. Both practice under All India Shito Ryu Karate Do Union President Kyoshi C.S. Arun Machaiah, who is also the President of South India Karate Do Federation & Akhila Karnataka Sports Karate Association recognised by Karnataka Sports Authority.