Balancing books and black belts, Shamalarani Chandran's Karate journey embodies the true essence of discipline. A Sunway University master's student on a mission, her life has been intricately woven with the art of Karate for the past 13 years. What started as a modest hobby at the age of 12 has evolved into a profound passion that fuels her daily. 

It is a dream that propels her forward, compelling her to represent Malaysia on the grandest stage of all - the international championships. With two SEA Games victories under her belt, each a cherished memory, she stood adorned in her nation's colours, proudly clutching gold medals, marking moments of sheer elation and victory. 

Navigating academics and athletics 
In the world of a national Karate athlete pursuing a master’s degree, her story exemplifies unwavering determination and the path to success. Balancing the demands of her studies and the rigorous training required for international competitions is an impressive feat. A typical week sees her dedicating five to six days to gruelling training, sometimes even squeezing in two sessions in a single day. On top of this, she commits to additional national training that further hones. her skills, ensuring she remains at the pinnacle of her sport. Each day, she prioritises her time and finds the 
strength to keep pushing forward. It is a tough journey, but she knows that the sacrifices will ultimately yield rewards. 

Her ultimate goal? “To be a true example of how one can excel both in sports and academics, proving that passion knows no limits.” 

Developing a strategy that enables her to thrive in both research and her karate career is crucial to juggle intense training, complex academics, and tight deadlines. During those precious moments between competitions, she seizes the opportunity to focus on her research and studies, facilitating necessary approvals and academic progress. When competitions and tournaments draw near, she channels all her energy, passion, and dedication to training. It is a relentless pursuit of perfection, fine-tuning techniques and strategies to excel in the ring. Pushing her limits, she continually seeks improvement, mentally strengthening herself for upcoming challenges. After each competition, she refocuses on her studies, reflecting on her performance and using the determination gained from her experiences to fortify her academic pursuits. This dynamic approach has allowed her to effectively allocate her dedication to each aspect of her life when the timing was right.

“It's a delicate dance of passion, discipline, and adaptability.” 

Sunway University’s Scholarship: Fueling the Scholar Athlete’s Journey

Reaching the midway point of her master's degree has been a rewarding journey, demanding her unwavering dedication to personal growth as an Individual and an athlete. What makes it even more exceptional is the generous scholarship offered by Sunway University. Not only has the scholarship advanced her academic aspirations in pursuit of a career as a lecturer, but it has also recognised and celebrated her commitment as a full-time athlete. Beyond the financial support it provides, the scholarship has connected her with mentors and a wealth of resources that have played a pivotal role in shaping her into the well-rounded individual she is today, "To all those who have joined me on this incredible journey, | thank you. Thank you for your support, your encouragement, and for being a part of my story,” she said. 

Sunway University is incredibly proud of Shamalarani's achievements!