Aside from James De los Santos, there is another Filipino making waves in online karate tournaments.

She is Fatima A-Isha Lim Hamsain.

Hamsain recently won gold medal in the U15 e-Kumite female category of the 5th leg of Sportdata e-Tournament World Series, the biggest online tournament in the World Karate Federation.

The 14-year-old Hamsain defeated Selina Schneider of Germany in the semifinal round, 3-0, and then won a close fight against Zarah Annisa Putri of Indonesia in the final round, 2-1.

Hamsain’s victory over Putri in the Sportdata allowed her to move up to No. 2 in the world ranking as she improved with 1625 points, behind No. 1 Anna Menzel of Austria with 1780 in the U15 kumite female division.

“Of course, I’m very happy that I won in the Sportsdata, and I also improved my ranking,” said Hamsain in a phone interview with Manila Bulletin Friday. “If Allah wills it… I’m praying for it (to be No. 1).”

“For now, my aim is to improve and concentrate on my training. For me by joining these tournaments, it motivates me more and challenges me to be the best that I can be, just enjoy what I am doing and to surpass my limits.”

Representing the Philippines and winning is actually in the bloodline of the young Hamsain, who started as a karate practitioner when she was eight years old, since her father and grandfather were former athletes.

Her father Mohammad Isaac Hamsain played for the Pencak Silat national team from 1997 to 2001.

On the other hand, her grandfather Ebrahim Hamsain competed in the breaststroke event of the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo, Japan, while her grandfather’s brother Amir Hussin Hamsain participated in the butterfly competition of the 1960 Rome Olympics.

She said her ultimate goal is to make it to the national team like her father and grandfathers.

“That is my main goal, to represent the country as a member of the national team like them,” said the Grade 8 student at Sen. Renato Companero Cayetano Science and Technology High School in Taguig City.

For now, while physical competition is not allowed – something she did as a participant in various international events like in previous years – due to COVID-19, her focus is on the online tournaments.

The gold in the Sportsdata was Hamsain’s fifth since she joined the online events in September. She said the encouragement and achievements of de los Santos was a big factor in her campaign.

Not only they learn how to execute different moves, Hamsain said De los Santos – currently world No. 1 with 25 gold medals in the male seniors’ kata division – always gives them inspiration and motivation.

“He’s a big part of why we’re doing well in these online karate tournaments. He really helps every one of us compete in the online events. He’s an inspiration, a big influence for us young athletes,” said Hamsain.