In a remarkable display of discipline, creativity, and courage, eight-year-old V. Vasanth Abhinandan has made history by earning a spot in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) for performing Karate Kata movements on nails for 10 minutes, a feat never before attempted by a child in the country.
The Year Two student was officially recognised under the category ‘Most Karate Kata Movements on Nails by a Child in 10 Minutes’. What makes this achievement even more extraordinary is that the concept came from Vasanth Abhinandan himself, who wanted to do something different to standout from other karate practitioners.
According to his father, K.Vasantha, 41, the young martial artists trained for a full year to perfect his Kata movements using specially crafted spiked shoes.
“My son is very active. He began learning karate at the age of three and has already achieved many victories in junior karate championships both locally and abroad”, Vasantha shared.
Vasantha, a school van driver and single father, said his son currently holds a blue belt and is now training to master five additional Kata movements to qualify for a black belt.
But this isn’t the young athlete’s only milestone. In July 2025, Vasanth Abhinandan also entered the Yoga Asia World Record for the longest single-leg standing in the children category. Last year, he won the Karate Kata title at an international sports championship in Kuala Lumpur and was honoured with the 2024 Best Non-Games Sports Achievement Award by the state government.
For his father, karate has been more than just a sport for his son, it’s a form of empowerment.
“Karate is not just a sport but also a shield for self-defence, especially since Vasanth Abhinandan had experienced bullying before, and martial arts gave him the confidence to stand up for himself.”
Brimming with pride, Vasanth Abhinandan said he dreams of becoming a national athlete and representing Malaysia internationally.
“I’m proud to have created a name in MBR, and I hope one day I will be selected to represent the country and make my family and Malaysia proud,” he said.
According to Siti Hajar, MBR received the applications for his attempt two months ago, and carried out a detailed verification process before granting the recognition.
“This is the first category of its kind in Malaysia, and if there are challengers in the future, they will need to perform more than five Karate Kata movements, as Vasanth Abhinandan only showcased five during his performance,” she explained.
She added that the achievement serves as a reminder that age is no barrier to making history.
With record breaking feat, Vasanth Abhinandan not only earned a place in the Malaysia Book of Records but also in the hearts of many Malaysians, proving that true strength lies in passion, perseverance, and the courage to be different.
Sources: Bernama
