BAHRAINI karateka Rawan Ebrahim Rabeea has made history after earning a Japan Karate Association (JKA) black belt at just 14 years old, becoming one of the youngest in the kingdom ever to do so, writes Patrick Oliver Salomon.
After five days of intensive preparations at the gasshuku (training camp) hosted by JKA Kuwait, Rawan was one of only three candidates who passed her first Dan (first-degree black belt) examination, conducted last month by Shihan Yuko Hirayama, a seventh Dan master instructor from the JKA Headquarters in Tokyo who is widely recognised as one of the world’s highest-ranking women in her field.
Rawan had left Bahrain as a brown belt, but returned with her black belt following an extraordinary week – one in which she also bagged gold and bronze medals in a competition held the very next day following her exam.
In an exclusive interview with Gulf Weekly, Rawan, who is a member of the JKA Bahrain branch, expressed her delight in attaining her monumental achievements, especially at such a young age.
“Earning my black belt at 14 is a moment I’ll never forget – it wasn’t just a single grading test, it was the culmination of years of work, discipline, and pushing myself to the limit in training,” said Rawan, who bagged her gold medal in Kumite (sparring) and bronze in Kata (forms) while wearing her newly earned black belt.
“When I found out I had passed my first Dan, I was absolutely thrilled and utterly speechless. At the time, it felt completely surreal, and only later did I truly realise how significant my achievement was.
“The very next day, I was on the competition floor and won my gold and bronze medals. Achieving three major milestones in such a short time felt incredible, especially in front of honored guests like the Japanese Ambassador in Kuwait, who attended the tournament. I truly cherish having those experiences at 14.
“Standing there with my first Dan black belt and two medals, I could see that every single year of work had paid off. I am immensely proud of where I’ve gotten to, and it certainly motivates me to see how much further I could go.”
Rawan was first introduced to karate when she was five years old. Her training came to a forced pause during the Covid-19 pandemic, and only after a push from a friend did she get back into practising the popular martial art. Little did she know at the time how important that choice would become.
“I slowly lost touch with the sport and never expected to step back onto the mat, but my friend encouraged me to rejoin, initially just for fun, and ironically that same friend stopped after a month, but by then, something had changed in me,” recalled Rawan, who is a year 11 student at Capital School Bahrain.
“I had discovered an interest of my own and I wanted to continue, not because someone else encouraged me to, but because I genuinely wanted to.
“As I grew older, that interest transformed into a passion, and I became increasingly dedicated to improving, competing, and challenging myself.
“It’s incredible to think that a decision I made so casually led me to earn my black belt at just 14. My journey in karate has taught me that sometimes, the things that become most meaningful to us begin in the most unexpected ways.”
Being a world-class karateka holds a deeper meaning for Rawan as she dedicates her craft and all she has achieved so far to the memory of a late loved one, which helps her maintain focus when challenges arise.
“A big part of my motivation actually comes from honouring someone very special to me who has sadly passed away,” she explained. “They played a huge role in pushing me to keep going in karate, and although they are no longer here, their influence is with me every day.
“When training gets tough, or I face setbacks, I remind myself why I started and who I’m doing this for. I hope every achievement I have in the future will honour them and make them proud.”
Rawan is hopeful that her achievements at such a young age can help inspire other young girls across the kingdom to pursue their dreams – no matter how unattainable they may seem at first.
“My message to young girls in Bahrain is this: don’t let your age, your situation, or anyone else’s expectations stop you from going as far as you can,” she stressed. “You don’t have to wait until you’re older to do something extraordinary, and you never need permission to have big dreams.
“Karate has taught me that true strength isn’t about physical force – it is about how many times you rise after falling, how you stay focused under pressure, and your drive to keep moving forward. Success is built through daily discipline, unseen sacrifices, and the courage to persist when the path gets tough.”
Following her incredible successes in Kuwait, Rawan is now even more determined to continue her journey in karate, and with the backing of her loving family and the JKA Bahrain community, she is ready to reach for the stars – both on and off the mat.
“My family is absolutely fundamental to my strength – their support, belief in me, and encouragement give me the confidence to keep going, and I know I’m never going to be alone on this journey,” she said.
“I’m incredibly proud of my black belt, but I value the person I have become throughout the journey just as much.
“Karate has had a massive impact on how I see myself and how I go about things outside the dojo. It’s made me far more patient, far more self-aware, and has given me a real degree of confidence under pressure.
“Eventually, I want karate to shape not just what I achieve, but who I become. The medals will tell you about the victories, and the black belt will mark achievement, but my real achievement will be becoming a person who embodies karate’s principles in all aspects of life and makes a real impact beyond the dojo.”