Shrijana Adhikari: The Indomitable Spirit Powering Asia’s Martial Arts Movement
Shrijana Adhikari is not just an international athlete and seasoned martial artist—she’s also a mother, a dynamic force transforming the landscape of fitness, karate, and self-defense across Asia. With over 21 years of martial arts experience, 10+ years of teaching expertise, and a long list of accolades as a competitor, coach, referee, and instructor, her life is a testament to unyielding passion, purpose, and discipline. Hailing from Nepal and currently active in India and Nepal, Shrijana’s journey is rooted in her desire to inspire, educate, and empower individuals, especially women, through martial arts and physical fitness.
A Multifaceted Athlete and Referee
Shrijana holds the rare distinction of being a 4th Dan Black Belt in Shito-Ryu Karate, along with several other prestigious martial arts qualifications. Her credentials as a referee are equally impressive—she is an Asian Kumite and Kata Judge- A license holder under the Asian Karate Federation (AKF). She has also participated in the World Karate Federation’s referee rules competition and served on the National Referee Commission in the Nepal Karate Federation.
Her competitive career includes podium finishes at major tournaments. She clinched a bronze at the 1st South Asian Karate Championship in Delhi in 2011 and won two silver medals at the 4th Milo Open Karate Championship in Malaysia in 2013. That same year, she represented Nepal at the Asian Dubai Open Karate Championship and participated in the 12th Senior Asian Karate Championship.
Representing Asia on the Global Stage
Shrijana’s presence at international karate events has made her a familiar face among martial arts circles. She has been a referee at some of the continent’s most prestigious championships, including:
- 2025: 4th Krishna Prashadh Bhattarai Memorial National Karate Championship.
- 2025: 1st former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba National Karate Championship in Kathmandu, Nepal.
- 2024: Referee in the 22nd Asian Karate Championship 2024 in Manila, PHILIPPINES
- 2024: Referee: 8th South Asian Karate Championship in 2024 in BHUTAN
- 2023: Referee: 7th South Asian Karate Championship Seminar in 2023, NEPAL
- 2022: Referee: Thailand Open Karate Championship, Phuket, Thailand, August 2022
- 2021: Referee: 16th ISKU International Karate Cup – India, 25th December, 2021
- 2019: Referee: Thailand Open Karate Championship, Bangkok, 2019
- 2019: Referee: JKS Open Karate Championship, Sharjah, Dubai, 2019
- 2018: Referee: Thailand Open Karate Championship 2018, Thailand
- 2018: Referee: British Karate Open Championship, Leicester City, United Kingdom
- 2017: Asian Referee Course 2017, Sri Lanka
- Best referee award in the British Karate Open Championship in the UK
- Awarded the Best Referee title among the elite panel of WKF referees, selected from the best of the best.
Her journey of national and international participation continues to grow. Her exceptional officiating and coaching skills have earned global recognition, including the prestigious ‘Best Referee‘ award in the United Kingdom.
Promoting Fitness Beyond the Dojo—The Karate Training Centre
Shrijana is not confined to karate arenas. She is also a certified official Zumba instructor and professional celebrity dance choreographer with a BA in Bharatnatyam. Her fitness journey includes collaborations with leading gyms and studios in India and Nepal, such as NMOD Gym (Delhi), 5 Star Zumba Fitness (Bhaktapur), VR Fitness (Thimi), and Creation Fitness and Dance Studio (Kathmandu). She currently trains clients in both fitness and martial arts disciplines, working as a physical trainer and Zumba coach, especially for women-focused sessions. She has her training center in Kathmandu, Nepal, and India, and is highly focused on building new-age champions.
Her community involvement goes beyond training. As a coach for the Budhanilkantha Municipality Sports Committee in Kathmandu, she mentors aspiring athletes and promotes self-defense awareness through her workshops.
Media Presence and Brand Collaborations
Shrijana’s vibrant personality and martial arts prowess have landed her on global platforms. She has performed on channels like History TV (for “Human Weapon”), Discovery Channel (“Extreme Martial Arts” in 2002), NDTV Good Times (“Reebok Life”), Shakti TV, Doordarshan, and Total TV (women’s safety segment). Her story has been featured in numerous publications, including Hindustan Times, The Hindu, Times of India, Dainik Jagran, Amar Ujala, India Today, Global News Network, and sports channels in Nepal.
A Journey Fueled by Discipline and Vision
Despite only completing a Diploma in nutrition and health education from IGNOU University, Delhi, and pursuing a Master’s in sports science, Shrijana’s expertise transcends academic boundaries. Her real-world experience, combined with her strategic mindset and relentless discipline, has allowed her to build a career that’s as impactful as it is diverse. Fluent in English, Nepali, and Hindi, she connects seamlessly with students and audiences across borders.
Shrijana’s training philosophy focuses on physical strength and mental resilience. She believes in promoting martial arts and fitness among the younger generation in India and Nepal, emphasizing the need for self-defense and personal empowerment. Whether in the form of karate, Zumba, or motivational performances, her work is a bold expression of strength and purpose.
The Legacy She’s Building
Shrijana Adhikari is not just a martial artist or fitness coach—she is a movement. Her story is a living example of how passion, discipline, and a commitment to social change can shape a powerful legacy. From refereeing at elite championships to training women in local gyms, she continues to break barriers and redefine what it means to be a woman in martial arts. As her latest project, she is a part of the podcasts, the Open Sports Talks as a director, and open talks
She stands today not just as a champion of karate but as an emblem of empowerment for future generations across South Asia.
-Edited By:
Rajshree Upadhyaya
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