THIRTEEN -year-old Aaliyah Aisha Ali has made her mark on the national stage, winning silver and bronze medals at the GKR 2025 New Zealand Championships held at Cowles Stadium in Christchurch.
Ali, who competed in the 13–15 age group, claimed silver in Kata and bronze in Kumite—a remarkable achievement for the young athlete from Auckland’s Southern Cross High School.
Of Fijian descent, Ali was among a small number of New Zealanders representing diverse backgrounds at the event.
She said she feels overjoyed by her success and is now more motivated than ever to reach higher goals.
“I feel good about myself. The silver and bronze medals give me more reason to work hard, stay focused, and go for gold,” she said.
Ali admitted that karate demands both mental and physical endurance but remains determined to elevate her performance.
A Grade-A student, she dedicated her victories to her parents, whom she credited for their unwavering support and sacrifices in helping her pursue the sport she loves.
“They’ve always believed in me, and I wanted to make them proud,” she added.
