Mr Keshiv Karransingh’s commitment to excellence has earned him a University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Prestige Sports Scholarship, awarded to students who have achieved outstanding success at an international, national or provincial level while maintaining their academic pursuits.

A second-degree black belt in Karate, Karransingh has built an impressive sporting career over the years. His journey into the martial art began with encouragement from his father. “My dad introduced me to Karate, which initially I was not too fond of,” he admitted. “Over the years, however, I gradually developed a passion for the sport.”

That passion developed into years of dedicated training and competition. Karransingh began competing in 2017 and has since represented South Africa on the international stage. Among his proudest achievements was winning a bronze medal in the team kata event at the 2024 Commonwealth Karate Championships, hosted in Durban. Competing against strong teams from India, Australia and South Africa, he and his teammates secured an impressive third-place finish.

Karransingh said Karate had provided him with far more than competitive success, teaching valuable life skills that extended well beyond the dojo.

“I enjoy the qualities I develop through practising the sport, which can be applied to everyday life. These include discipline, time management, physical fitness, emotional and mental strength, and, most importantly, confidence in myself,” he said.

Balancing the demands of elite sport with a rigorous academic programme has required sacrifice. As both a student and a competitive athlete, Karransingh has had to frequently adjust his academic schedule to accommodate tournaments and training commitments.

He recalled having to reschedule assignments, travel to different locations to compete, and carefully balance preparation for examinations with intensive training sessions. Despite these challenges, he has remained committed to succeeding in both arenas.

Karransingh is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at UKZN. He chose the University after carefully researching Higher Education Institutions and speaking to others about their experiences. He said UKZN’s strong academic reputation, particularly within his chosen field, made it the ideal place to pursue his studies.

“Studying at this institution is very enjoyable, as I can relate to some of the students who study the same modules as me, meet a lot of new people, and regard the University as a place where I belong,” he said.

His decision to study Electrical Engineering was driven by the degree’s versatility and the broad range of career opportunities it offers both locally and internationally. Drawn to challenging environments, Karransingh said he was motivated by the demanding nature of engineering.

“I’m highly motivated and curious about this degree, to the point where I want to continue with postgraduate studies. I also enjoy challenges and like to make them look easy. Hearing how difficult and demanding engineering is made me think it was the perfect choice,” he said.

Looking ahead, Karransingh plans to continue studying towards a master’s degree while beginning his professional career. Although he intends to retire from competitive Karate tournaments, his passion for martial arts remains undiminished. He hopes to focus on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo, with the ambitious long-term goal of representing South Africa at the Olympic Games in Judo.

He acknowledged the people who have stood by him throughout his 15 years of training. “I want to thank my friends and family for supporting and never giving up on me, and my dojo for pushing me through the countless hours of training,” he said.

Receiving the UKZN Prestige Sports Scholarship represents much more than financial support for Karransingh: “It means a lot, as it symbolises my sense of discipline, determination, resilience and persistence, as not many people can just achieve this. I’m truly grateful for this award, and it demonstrates to never give up and keep going,” he said.

Words: Sally Frost

Photograph: Supplied