Kohima, Jul 30 (NPN): The 36th Kyorugi and 1st Poomsae Nagaland State Taekwondo Championship 2026, along with the Under-14 “Catch Them Young” Tournament, concluded at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima, on July 30, bringing together around 500 taekwondo athletes, coaches, and officials from across the state.
In the competition, Kyorugi Team Championship Team DYRS (Directorate of Youth Resources and Sports) emerged as champions, while Dimapur secured the first runners-up title and Wokha finished as the second runners-up.
In the Poomsae Team Championship, Dimapur claimed the championship title, with Kohima finishing as the runners-up.
Speaking as the special guest at the closing ceremony, Inspector General of the Assam Rifles (North) Major General Harinder Singh Mavi, , lauded the Nagaland Taekwondo Association (NTA) for their efforts in promoting the sport in the state. He encouraged the athletes to give their best and perform with dedication, noting that taekwondo offers numerous opportunities, including sports quota recruitment even in the armed forces.
He also appreciated parents for encouraging and supporting their children to pursue the sport, stating that the youth are the architects of the future. Urging the participants to remain humble, he said true sportsmanship is reflected in humility and a willingness to help others. He advised the athletes to stay grounded in victory and use every success as motivation to work harder and aim for greater achievements.
The championship featured competitions across multiple categories, including the Under-14 “Catch Them Young” Tournament, which aims to strengthen grassroots participation and nurture future champions. Organised by the Nagaland Taekwondo Association in collaboration with the Department of Youth Resources and Sports, the championship sought to promote taekwondo in Nagaland while identifying and developing young talent through Kyorugi (sparring) and Poomsae (patterns) events. The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Nagaland Taekwondo Association, vice president Visabiu Peseyie.
TCA’s Anayah strikes gold
Mawatongla Anayah Yaden, a student of The Combat Academy (TCA), Nagaland, won a gold medal at the Nagaland State Taekwondo Championship held at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima.
Competing under the banner of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), Anayah clinched the title in the Sub-Junior Under-47 kg category.
She trains under coach D. Khuwoto Assumi through The Combat Academy’s Kids Taekwondo Programme and delivered a strong performance to secure the top podium finish.
Congratulating the young athlete, the academy said Anayah was among the first students to enrol in its Kids Taekwondo Programme, launched for children below the age of 13. It attributed her success to her dedication, discipline and consistent training over the past year.
The academy also expressed confidence that Anayah’s achievement would inspire more young athletes to take up taekwondo and strive for excellence in the sport.