Latest news with #Taekwondo


India Gazette
9 hours ago
- General
- India Gazette
'Taekwondo, facing the world': Exploring legacy, history of taekwondo at Korean Cultural Centre India
New Delhi [India], June 3 (ANI): A unique exhibition titled 'Taekwondo, Facing the World' was inaugurated at the Korean Cultural Centre India on Monday. Through the collection shared by the National Taekwondo Museum in Korea, this exhibition aims to shed light on the globalisation of Taekwondo through its evolution into a competitive sport. The opening ceremony was attended by Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to India, H.E. Lee Seong-ho; Sudhanshu Mittal, President, Kho Kho Federation of India and a senior BJP leader; Namdev Sampat Shirgaonkar, President, India Taekwondo; M S Tyagi, General Secretary, Kho Kho Federation of India; Dr Jyoti Arora, Principal, Mount Abu Public School and Jeong Sang-ki, Director, National Taekwondo Museum, a release said. This exhibition showcases the remarkable journey of how Taekwondo, a traditional Korean martial art, has evolved into a global sport practised in more than 200 countries. Taekwondo gradually developed into a systematic form through competition and integration between dojangs (training halls) after the Korean War, and it began to become competitive in the 1960s when it was adopted as an official event at the National Sports Festival. Then, in the 1970s, it spurred internationalisation through the World Taekwondo Championships. In the 1980s, it entered the international stage in earnest when it was adopted as a demonstration event in the Asian Games and the Olympics. In the 2000s, it was registered as an official Olympic event, and Taekwondo established itself as a global sport loved by people around the world. In recent years, the growth of Taekwondo in India has been phenomenal, with the country producing world-class athletes across all age groups. In May 2025, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports officially recognised India Taekwondo as the national sports federation responsible for governing the sport in India. This marks a significant milestone in the development of Taekwondo in the country. Korean Cultural Centre India has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with India Taekwondo and is further enhancing training capacity through collaboration with Korean Taekwondo instructors. Korean Cultural Centre India has also been supporting Taekwondo classes in Indian primary and secondary schools since 2021, and as of 2025, a total of 3,287 students are learning Taekwondo through regular classes and after-school activities in 47 schools in 10 states and UTs, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. As part of its collaboration with India Taekwondo, classes are gradually expanding throughout India, and Taekwondo is becoming an integrated education program that goes beyond a simple sport and combines school education and mental cultivation. Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to India, H.E. Lee Seong-ho, said, 'This exhibition celebrates the spirit and values of Taekwondo - discipline, perseverance, and self-control. I am especially happy to see the growing passion for Taekwondo among young people in India. What makes me even happier is that Indian athletes are already shining on the global stage. As we look ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Korea is committed to supporting Indian athletes in their pursuit for medals through technical training, guidance from experienced Korean masters, and modern coaching methods. We will open a branch of Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo Headquarters, in Delhi soon. With over 150 million practitioners worldwide, Kukkiwon will be a strong partner in helping Taekwondo grow in India and in training the champions of tomorrow.' Sudhanshu Mittal, President, Kho Kho Federation of India and a senior BJP leader, said, 'Taekwondo has grown in popularity by leaps and bounds because the game is a sheer delight. The speed, the reflexes, the agility, the holistic development of physical fitness is so critical in this game. To have spread this sport in over 200 countries is a great achievement. It's a great game and therefore it is also part of the Olympics. Every youngster wants to have these belts that are part of the sport. I was amazed by this exhibition and it was a great learning to know how Taekwondo has spread and become popular worldwide,' the release said. Namdev Shirgaonkar, President of India Taekwondo, said, 'India Taekwondo and the Korean Cultural Centre India share a deep and meaningful relationship. Together we have worked towards not only promoting Taekwondo in India, but also strengthening cultural bonds between our nations, Korea and India. This collaboration has already borne fruit. Our athletes have recently achieved commendable success in international events - World Championships and Asian Championships - standing tall on global platforms. Looking forward, I am confident that we can aspire to win more medals at World Championships and upcoming Asian Games in Japan. The future of Indian Taekwondo is very bright and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the next generation has the support and inspiration they need,' it added. (ANI)
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India.com
13 hours ago
- General
- India.com
Meet The World's Youngest Taekwondo Instructor: 7-Year-Old Black Belt Girl Trained By Her Champion Parents. She Is Not From Korea, China, Or Japan; She Is...
photoDetails english World's Youngest Taekwondo Instructor: Have you ever imagined a girl, just seven years old, setting a Guinness World Record as the world's youngest Taekwondo instructor? Your answer is probably no. At an age when most children are busy playing games in parks, this young girl isn't from the US, Europe, China, Japan, or Korea. In fact, she hails from Madurai, Tamil Nadu, in India—and she is scripting history. With a powerful kick and an even stronger spirit, she is rewriting the rules of what children can achieve—and proving that age is just a number. At just seven years old, Samyuktha Narayanan isn't merely practicing Taekwondo—she's teaching it. Her journey from a toddler in a dobok (the traditional uniform worn by Taekwondo practitioners during training and competitions) to becoming the world's youngest Taekwondo instructor is a tale of grit, passion, and a family legacy deeply rooted in martial arts. But Samyuktha's story isn't just about breaking records—it's about inspiring an entire generation to believe that no dream is too big, and no age too early, to start chasing it. Updated:Jun 03, 2025, 05:18 PM IST World's Youngest Taekwondo Instructor 1 / 7 At just seven years and 270 days old, Samyuktha Narayanan from Tamil Nadu's Madurai etched her name in history as the world's youngest Taekwondo instructor, according to Guinness World Records. Samyuktha Narayanan achieved this remarkable feat on August 14, 2024. Born Into Black Belts 2 / 7 Samyuktha was practically raised on a dojo mat. Her parents, Shruthy and Narayanan, run the Madurai Taekwondo Academy, and their passion for martial arts naturally flowed into their daughter's life. She took her first martial arts steps at age three. Trained By Taekwondo Champion Parents 3 / 7 Inspiration runs deep in her family. Her mother, Shruthy, once held a Guinness World Record for most elbow strikes in one minute, while her father, Narayanan, boasts records like breaking 29 flaming concrete blocks in 30 seconds. No surprise that Samyuktha aimed for greatness too. Samyuktha's Disciplined Journey Under Father As Her Coach With Narayanan as her coach, Samyuktha 4 / 7 With Narayanan as her coach, Samyuktha began a disciplined journey—gradually advancing from a white belt to earning her black belt from the prestigious World Taekwondo Headquarters in Korea. Samyuktha's Training Like Champion 5 / 7 Her daily routine was nothing short of heroic. She trained like a pro—running 5 km, enduring intense workouts, and mastering complex Taekwondo techniques. Every drop of sweat pushed her closer to the black belt and her eventual world record. Samyuktha's Big Dreams in a Small Frame 6 / 7 Despite the title and spotlight, Samyuktha isn't slowing down. She dreams of representing India in the Olympics, adding more GWR titles to her name, and collecting National Championship medals along the way. Samyuktha's Vision: Medal At Olympics And To Become Police Officer 7 / 7 Looking ahead, Samyuktha has her sights set on collecting more Guinness World Records and adding to her growing stack of National Taekwondo Championship medals. But her dreams don't stop at martial arts—she hopes to represent India at the Olympics someday and ultimately serve the nation as a proud police officer. (Image Credit: and social media)


Sharjah 24
a day ago
- Sport
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Women's Sports dominate taekwondo team championships
On the first day of the event, the junior team from the Sharjah Women's Sports Club excelled, with standout performances from athletes like Reem Yousef Hamid and Fatima Mohammed Obaid. They worked together seamlessly and earned the gold medal, finishing in first place. In the women's category, the same club shined again, winning the silver medal after a tightly contested event that kept everyone on the edge of their seats. The team included Ann Rose, Rayan Najib Al Zaabi, and several others who fought hard until the end. The Kalba Women's Sports Club also showed great talent, with their junior team securing a bronze medal thanks to players like Hawar Ali Al Zeyoudi and Reem Khalfan Al Naqbi, who displayed strong teamwork and spirit. The Kalba ladies' team achieved similar success, also winning a bronze medal with the efforts of players like Ruqayya Rashid Al Dhanhani and Sheikha Mohammed Al Tunaiji, showcasing their skills in a competitive atmosphere. The following day, during the UAE Team Cup Championship, the Sharjah Women's Sports Club women's team continued to impress, taking home another gold medal. Players such as Maysoun Ihab Farouk and Yasmine Yasser Al Kindi performed exceptionally well, securing first place with a strong and balanced show of teamwork. At the end of the season, Abdullah Hatem, the Taekwondo Technical Director at the Sharjah Women's Sports Foundation, praised the teams' collective efforts. He noted their commitment and improvement in both skills and teamwork throughout the season. He expressed excitement about building on these successes as they prepare for the next season, aiming for even greater achievements in future competitions. Balqis Al Shehhi, who oversees individual sports at the Sharjah Women's Sports Club, shared her pride in the athletes' accomplishments. She highlighted the importance of the teamwork among the athletes, coaches, and administrative staff, and acknowledged the ongoing support from the Sharjah Women's Sports Foundation. This support helps create the best environment for taekwondo and motivates the clubs to continue raising their standards in the seasons ahead. Balqis also thanked the players for their hard work and growth this season, which was evident in their performances. An insight into upcoming Taekwondo teams The success in the two team championships showcases the hard work and dedication put in over the entire season by the Sharjah Women's Sports Foundation. This achievement highlights the effectiveness of the programs they have been using to train and support the teams. With this encouraging progress, the teams are excited to continue their journey in the upcoming seasons and aim for even more victories both nationally and regionally.


Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
‘Fed her sedative-laced laddoo, recorded obscene video': National-level Taekwondo player gang-raped at ashram in Kanpur
A national-level Taekwondo player has accused multiple individuals of gang-raping her inside an ashram in Kanpur's Govind Nagar area. The alleged incident occurred in January, with the FIR being registered recently. KANPUR: A 30-year-old national level Taekwondo player has alleged that she was gang-raped inside an ashram in Govind nagar area of Kanpur. The incident which took place in January, came to light following registration of an FIR on Thursday. The police said that an investigation is underway, and a video with regard to the incident that surfaced on social media, is being examined. The player alleged that over the pretext of patronizing a shop near the Ashram, an elderly man took her to a house, asking her to meet some people. There, the incident was carried out when she became unconscious after being given `laddoo' (sweet) laced with sedatives. The accused also made an obscene video of her and threatened to make it viral. The survivor met DCP South on Thursday with her complaint. The survivor said that she used to run a shop of old clothes on the footpath in Govindnagar market on every Tuesday. An elderly man of the area asked her for four thousand rupees in exchange for setting up a shop. Then he assured her saying that he will take her to an Ashram to meet some influential people, who will help her secure a location for a shop. Trusting his words, she went together to meet them on January 28. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo There she was offered `laddoo' laced with sedatives. After which she lost consciousness. She alleged that she was then gang-raped by elderly man, the ashram's head priest, and two others. She named four individuals in the assault, including temple priests. She alleged that the four also made an obscene video of her and started threatening to make it viral. ADCP South Mahesh Kumar stated that an FIR has been registered at Govind nagar police station. "A video has also been submitted, and on Saturday, we inspected the Ashram room which is visible in the video. We are examining all aspects and will take further action accordingly," Kumar said. In response to the allegations, the Ashram's priest apprised police that they were attending Kumbh in Prayagraj during the time of the incident. "They have provided photos and videos as evidence to support their claim," informed a police official privy to the investigation. (The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)


News18
3 days ago
- News18
Taekwondo Player Alleges Gang-Rape In Ashram After Being Offered Spiked Laddoo
Last Updated: The survivor has provided a video to the police, which also circulated on social media, allegedly showing an elderly man assaulting her within the ashram premises. A national-level Taekwondo player has accused several individuals of gang-rape at an ashram near a police station in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The alleged incident occurred in January, but the complaint was filed four months later, various regional media outlets reported. An investigation is underway, and a video of the incident, which has surfaced on social media, is being examined. The survivor, a resident of Kanpur's Govind Nagar, claims she met Govind Mahto while looking for a spot to sell used clothes. Mahto allegedly took her to the ashram, promising to introduce her to influential people who could help her find a location. The woman alleged that after being offered a laddoo at the ashram, she lost consciousness and was subsequently gang-raped by Govind Mahto, the ashram's mahant, and several others, including four named individuals who are temple priests. When asked why she waited four months to file a report, the survivor said she feared retribution due to the accused men's alleged political connections. The survivor has provided a video to the police, which also circulated on social media, allegedly showing an elderly man assaulting her within the ashram premises. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Mahesh Kumar confirmed that a complaint had been filed. 'The woman approached the DCP with her complaint, which was handed over to me for investigation. A video has also been submitted, and we have visited the ashram room shown in it. We are examining all aspects and will take further action accordingly," Kumar said. The ashram's priests responded to the allegations by claiming they were in Prayagraj, attending the Kumbh at the time of the incident. They provided photos and videos as evidence to support their alibi, which are currently being examined by the police. First Published: June 01, 2025, 12:25 IST