Rutba Showkat: The Kashmiri Teen Redefining Talent in Sports and Art

By Syed Amjad Hussain, New Age Islam 10 March 2025 Rutba Showkat, An 18-Year-Old From Srinagar, Is A National Martial Arts Champion And Guinness World Record Holder In Origami. Balancing Sports, Art, And Studies, She Inspires Young Talents With Her Dedication And Perseverance. Main Points: 1. Rutba Showkat, an 18-year-old from Srinagar, excels in martial arts, origami, calligraphy, and painting, proving that passion and dedication can break boundaries. 2. She began training at nine, won gold in the Federation Cup and All India Championship, and has over 60 medals from national and state competitions. 3. During the COVID-19 lockdown, she mastered origami and set a Guinness World Record by making 250 paper boats in an hour after three years of perseverance. 4. Despite her achievements, Rutba remains committed to her studies, currently in Class 12 at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Nowhata. 5. As the first in her family to gain global recognition, she hopes to mentor young talents and continue breaking records in sports and the arts. ----- (Rutba Shawkat,Kashmir) ----- From Srinagar to the Global Arena At the age of 18, Rutba Showkat has done what many others can only wish for. She is a national-level martial artist, a Guinness World Record holder in origami, and an accomplished calligrapher and painter. Through her tireless work and devotion, she has made a name for herself in both sports and the arts, and has demonstrated that real talent knows no bounds. A Supportive Family and Early Beginnings Born on 1 February 2007 and brought up in Srinagar, Rutba was raised in a family that encouraged and supported her aspirations. Her father, Showkat Ahmad, who is a businessman involved in Kashmiri art and tourism, and her mother, a homemaker who also assists in the family business, have always been her biggest supporters. With her older sister and younger brother, they have motivated her to take up every opportunity that came her way. Unlike most young girls whose aspirations are narrowed down by what society dictates, Rutba was allowed to follow her dreams, which in the end led her to succeed in various fields. A Martial Arts Champion Rutba's entry into martial arts was at the tender age of nine. Though most parents avoid sending their child to distant tournaments at this early age, she had her parents’ support, with them understanding that she was not ordinary. She competed in her first national championship in Assam and won an instant gold medal, setting herself up for an extremely successful life in sports. She kept training hard throughout the years and competed at the national level, winning several titles. Some of her greatest martial arts achievements are the gold medal in the Federation Cup and All India Championship. She has won more than 60 awards in different national and state competitions. Her discipline and dedication have earned her a name as a strong competitor, showing that she possesses the strength, agility, and endurance necessary to succeed in high-pressure situations. Making a Guinness World Record in Origami Though martial arts continued to be an integral part of her life, Rutba has always been very fond of art, calligraphy, and origami. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown that she seriously took to origami and found solace in the very intricate craft of paper folding. What was originally a hobby for her soon grew into a labour of passion, and she spent countless hours developing her skill set. Resolved to advance her abilities, Rutba chose to try the Guinness World Record for creating the most paper boats in an hour. But success was not instantaneous—she experienced two failed attempts within three years before finally succeeding. During her last and record-breaking attempt, she was able to make 250 paper boats within one hour, earning a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. This feat not only made her known internationally but also strengthened her belief that persistence always brings success. National Recognition in Art and Creativity Rutba's artistic inclination has fetched her numerous national-level awards. Besides having a Guinness World Record, she also features in the India Book of Records. Her outstanding performance in art and creativity has earned her highly acclaimed awards like the Bharatiya Ekta Samman, Golden Book of Records, Best Achiever Awards, and Famina Awards. These awards reflect her versatility and skill, proving that she is not only a talented athlete but also an incredible artist. Creating Her Own Legacy Unlike most who follow in the footsteps of already established family legacies, Rutba is the first in her family to have national and global recognition. She has gone ahead and created a path through pure determination and diligent effort. She has not had it easy, but she has never allowed setbacks to discourage her. Rather, she has taken them as stepping stones and pushed herself to even greater heights. Balancing Education with Passion While excelling in sports and art, Rutba has also been devoted to her education. She studied up to the 10th grade at City Centre Education Institute (CCEI) in Srinagar and is now a Class 12 student at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Nowhata. Balancing academics with such top-level achievements is no easy task, but she has succeeded in doing so with great dedication. Future Aspirations Though she has achieved a lot, Rutba has far more to do. She wishes to be a well-known artist and athlete, but beyond individual achievement is her desire to guide and train young talents so that those with potential are given the recognition and opportunities they deserve. She is also hard at work to create more records while pursuing her career in sports. A Role Model for the Youth Rutba Showkat's tale is not just about winning medals or breaking records—it is about shattering barriers, overcoming challenges, and chasing dreams with determination. She has proven that talent, when combined with hard work and dedication, can result in greatness. Her accomplishments serve as a source of inspiration, not only for young Kashmiri girls but for anyone aspiring to make a difference in their chosen field. As she continues to reach new heights and defy expectations, Rutba remains a shining example of the power of perseverance. Her name is already etched in history, and the world eagerly awaits the next chapter in her incredible journey. ---- Syed Amjad Hussain is an author and Independent research scholar on Sufism and Islam. He sometime covers success stories. 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