A black belt karate athlete who brought international sporting honors to India is currently facing an overwhelming financial crisis in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh. Hariom Shukla, who has won dozens of medals across prestigious national and international championships, has been forced to put up a public notice outside his residence offering to sell his hard-earned sporting medals. Despite running a roadside tea stall to support his dependents, rising living costs and lack of institutional backing have pushed his household to the brink of starvation.
From Kosi Khurd to Global Karate Arenas
Originally hailing from Kosi Khurd village in Mathura district, Hariom Shukla has been residing near the Isapur water tank in the Yamunapar area for several years. Over the course of his athletic career, he represented the nation with distinction and earned approximately 60 medals across gold, silver, and bronze categories. However, prolonged administrative neglect and the absence of structured sports welfare support left this exceptional martial artist without sustainable career prospects or economic security, ultimately stifling his athletic potential.
Sale Notice Put Up Outside Family Residence
As day-to-day survival became increasingly unmanageable, Hariom Shukla took the painful step of advertising his sports awards for sale. He pasted a formal handwritten notice directly on the main door of his home, informing the public that due to worsening economic conditions, he is ready to part with his medals to feed his family. The notice explicitly invites prospective buyers interested in purchasing gold, silver, or bronze medals to contact him directly to complete a transaction.
Struggling for Basic Sustenance
Explaining the desperate circumstances behind this drastic measure, Hariom Shukla stated that the meager earnings from his small tea shop are no longer sufficient to sustain daily household necessities. He noted that aspiring martial arts practitioners who have not been able to secure competitive honors could purchase these authentic awards from him. According to him, a buyer could experience the pride of owning an international medal, while the proceeds would ensure that his family receives two basic meals a day during this severe crisis.
Father Expresses Grief Over Administrative Neglect
Sharing the family's deep distress, Hariom Shukla's father, Deendayal Shukla, expressed frustration over the systemic lack of recognition and assistance. He pointed out that despite his son competing across the world and bringing home numerous awards, these achievements yielded no practical security or governmental aid for their livelihood. Deendayal Shukla highlighted that while significant financial rewards are frequently announced for elite sports figures, grassroots achievers like his son are left abandoned, causing exceptional sporting talent to wither away under poverty.
Athletic Journey That Began in 2006
Reflecting on his athletic timeline, Hariom Shukla recounted that his competitive karate journey commenced in Mathura in 2006. Recognizing his technical discipline and combat skills, selectors provided him an opportunity to compete at Mumbai's Andheri Sports Complex in 2008, where he also participated in international bouts. His breakthrough global success arrived in 2010, when he clinched his first open international gold medal in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Victories in Thailand, the United States, and Sri Lanka
His competitive career continued with multiple podium finishes on foreign soil. In 2013, he travelled to Pattaya, Thailand, where he secured a gold medal, along with a senior silver medal in the same country that year. He followed this with another international silver medal in the United States in 2015. Additionally, during championships in Sri Lanka, he won a senior gold medal and an open silver medal. Having amassed around 60 competitive awards throughout his journey, Hariom Shukla's current plight presents a stark contrast between sporting glory and economic hardship.
