How Two Taekwondo Players from Gopalganj Won Gold Medals in the National Taekwondo Chmapionship

The national taekwondo championship 2024 was a proud moment for the Bihar team, especially for the five players from Gopalganj district who qualified for the event. Among them, two players, Shahbaz Ali and Rajneesh Gupta, clinched gold medals in their respective categories, bringing glory to their district and state. In this blog post, we will share their inspiring stories and the details of the championship.

What is the national taekwondo Championship?

The national taekwondo championship is an annual event organized by India Taekwondo, the governing body of taekwondo in India. The championship is held under the aegis of World Taekwondo, the international federation of the sport and a member of the International Olympic Committee. The competition aims to promote and develop taekwondo in India and to select the best players for the national team.

The competition is divided into four categories: cadet, junior, senior, and para. Each category has different weight classes for male and female players. The championship follows the rules and regulations of World Taekwondo, which include the use of electronic scoring systems, protective gear, and video replay.

The championship attracts the best taekwondo practitioners from all over India, who have to qualify through state-level competitions. The championship is also a platform for the players to showcase their skills, talent, and potential to the national and international audience.

How did the players from Gopalganj qualify for the championship?

The players from Gopalganj district had to overcome many challenges and hurdles to qualify for the national taekwondo championship. They had to train hard, practice regularly, and participate in various tournaments at the district and state level.

The players are members of the Taekwondo Association of Gopalganj, which is affiliated with the Bihar Taekwondo Association and the India Taekwondo. The association provides coaching, guidance, and support to the players, who come from different backgrounds and economic conditions.

The association is led by Pradeep Kumar Yadav, the president, and Aryan Pandey, the general secretary. They are assisted by Bhawani Singh, the district chief coach, who trains the players along with other coaches. The association also organizes and hosts the state-level taekwondo championship in Gopalganj, which serves as a qualifier for the national championship.

In the state-level championship held in Gopalganj in July 2023, five players from the district won gold medals in their categories and secured their place in the Bihar team for the national championship. They are:

• Shahbaz Ali (cadet, under 33 kg)
• Rajneesh Gupta (cadet, under 41 kg)
• Adarsh Tiwari (cadet, under 51 kg)
• Ujjwal Mishra (junior, under 55 kg)
• Saurabh Mishra (junior, under 73 kg)

The players were accompanied by Nikhil Kumar and Badal Kumar, the coaches of the Bihar team, and Sapna Kumari, the coach of the girls team. They left for Jaipur from Muzaffarpur on Sunday, February 4, 2024, with the blessings and congratulations of the entire district residents.

How did the players from Gopalganj perform in the championship?

The national taekwondo championship 2024 was held at Sawaimaan Singh Indoor Stadium in Jaipur from February 6 to February 9, 2024. The competition witnessed the participation of more than 500 players from 28 states and union territories of India.

The players from Gopalganj district gave their best performance in the championship and impressed everyone with their skills, techniques, and spirit. They faced tough opponents from other states, but they did not give up and fought till the end.

Among the five players from Gopalganj, two of them achieved the ultimate feat of winning gold medals in their categories. They are:

• Shahbaz Ali (cadet, under 33 kg): Shahbaz Ali defeated his rival from Maharashtra in the final match by a score of 18-12. He displayed excellent speed, agility, and accuracy in his kicks and punches. He dedicated his victory to his parents, coaches, and district.
• Rajneesh Gupta (cadet, under 41 kg): Rajneesh Gupta beat his opponent from Haryana in the final match by a score of 21-15. He showed remarkable strength, stamina, and strategy in his attacks and defenses. He thanked his family, friends, and association for their support and encouragement.

The other three players from Gopalganj also performed well in the championship, but could not reach the medal rounds. They are:

• Adarsh Tiwari (cadet, under 51 kg): Adarsh Tiwari lost to his competitor from Uttar Pradesh in the quarterfinal match by a score of 14-16. He fought bravely and valiantly, but could not overcome the narrow margin.
• Ujjwal Mishra (junior, under 55 kg): Ujjwal Mishra was defeated by his challenger from Delhi in the pre-quarterfinal match by a score of 10-12. He put up a good fight and a good show, but could not match the skill level of his opponent.
• Saurabh Mishra (junior, under 73 kg): Saurabh Mishra was eliminated by his contender from Kerala in the round of 32 match by a score of 8-10. He tried his best and gave his all, but could not cope with the pressure and the intensity of his rival.

What is the significance and impact of the players from Gopalganj?

The players from Gopalganj district have made history by winning gold medals in the national taekwondo championship. They have brought laurels and fame to their district, state, and country. They have also inspired and motivated many other young and aspiring taekwondo players in their region and beyond.

The players from Gopalganj district have also proved that taekwondo is a sport that can be pursued and excelled by anyone, regardless of their background, location, or economic status. They have shown that taekwondo is a sport that provides opportunities, benefits, and rewards to those who are passionate, dedicated, and hardworking.

The players from Gopalganj district have also demonstrated that taekwondo is a sport that teaches values, skills, and qualities that are useful and applicable in life. They have learned and practiced discipline, respect, confidence, teamwork, leadership, and sportsmanship through taekwondo.

The players from Gopalganj district have also contributed to the growth and development of taekwondo in India. They have raised the standards and expectations of the sport in the country. They have also represented and promoted the sport in the national and international arena.

What are the future plans and prospects of the players from Gopalganj?

The players from Gopalganj district have a bright and promising future ahead of them. They have achieved a remarkable feat at a young age, and they have the potential and talent to achieve more. They have the ambition and aspiration to pursue their dreams and goals.

The players from Gopalganj district have the opportunity and possibility to participate and compete in more national and international events and tournaments. They have the chance and hope to win more medals and honors for themselves and their country.

The players from Gopalganj district have the support and guidance of their coaches, officials, and association. They have the resources and facilities to train and improve their skills and techniques. They have the network and connections to learn and exchange ideas and experiences with other taekwondo players and experts.

The players from Gopalganj district have the vision and mission to spread and popularize taekwondo in their district, state, and country. They have the passion and enthusiasm to teach and mentor other taekwondo players and enthusiasts. They have the responsibility and duty to uphold and enhance the reputation and image of taekwondo in India.