Two young athletes from Lakhisarai, Bihar, have earned their place at the 69th SGFI National Taekwondo Championship after winning gold medals at district and divisional competitions. Amisha Patel and Aditya Shivam will now represent Bihar on the national stage in their respective age categories. Both players demonstrated exceptional skill by defeating opponents from multiple divisions across Bihar. Their journey began at the district-level school sports competition held under the chairmanship of District Officer Mithilesh Mishra, where they secured gold medals. They then moved on to the Munger divisional school sports competition, where they faced tougher competition from districts including Begusarai, Sheikhpura, and Jamui. Amisha, competing in the under-14 girls category, overcame challengers from Patna, Saran, and Purnia divisions to clinch gold for Munger division. Meanwhile, Aditya competed in the under-17 boys category and defeated rivals from Patna and Saran divisions to secure his gold medal. The two athletes train regularly at the Lakhisarai sports complex under coach Badal Gupta. Amisha will compete at the national event in Ludhiana, while Aditya heads to Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, for his championship. Their families and coaches expressed confidence in their abilities. Amisha's father noted her previous national experience and expects her to bring home gold for Bihar. Aditya's father, though acknowledging this is his son's first national competition, remains optimistic about a strong performance. District sports officer Ravi Kumar praised the consistent achievements of Lakhisarai athletes and expressed hope that both players will shine at the national level.
District and Divisional Gold Medal Wins
The path to national selection began with impressive performances at local competitions. Amisha Patel and Aditya Shivam first captured attention by winning gold medals at the district-level school sports competition in Lakhisarai, organized under District Officer Mithilesh Mishra. Their success continued at the Munger divisional school sports competition, where they faced athletes from Begusarai, Sheikhpura, and Jamui districts. Both players emerged victorious against strong competition. Amisha, competing in the under-14 girls category, defeated opponents from Patna, Saran, and Purnia divisions to secure gold for Munger division. Aditya, in the under-17 boys category, overcame challengers from Patna and Saran divisions to claim his gold medal. These consecutive victories across district and divisional levels demonstrated their readiness for higher competition and earned them selection for the 69th SGFI National Taekwondo Championship. Secretary and coach of Lakhisarai Taekwondo, Badal Gupta, confirmed their achievements and highlighted their dedication to the sport.
National Championship Assignments Announced
Following their divisional success, both athletes received confirmation of their national championship assignments. Amisha Patel will compete in the under-14 girls category at the national tournament scheduled in Ludhiana. Aditya Shivam will represent Bihar in the under-17 boys category at the championship taking place in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. The two different venues reflect the age-specific organization of the 69th SGFI National Taekwondo Championship. Both players will carry the responsibility of representing not just Lakhisarai but the entire state of Bihar on the national platform. Coach Badal Gupta expressed confidence in their preparation, noting that both athletes train regularly at the Lakhisarai sports complex. The national championship represents a significant step forward in their athletic careers and offers an opportunity to compete against the best young taekwondo players from across India. District sports officer Ravi Kumar acknowledged the achievement and emphasized the growing sports culture in Lakhisarai.
Family Support and Expectations
The athletes' families expressed pride and confidence in their children's abilities ahead of the national competition. Amisha Patel's father, Ashok Kumar, noted that this would not be her first SGFI National appearance, stating his full confidence that she would return with a gold medal for Bihar. His familiarity with Amisha's previous national experience gave him strong faith in her capabilities. Meanwhile, Aditya Shivam's father, Kumar Bharat, acknowledged that this represents his son's first national-level competition but expressed firm belief in a strong performance. The parental support reflects the crucial role families play in nurturing young athletes. Both families have supported their children's training commitments and travel to various competitions. Their encouragement has been instrumental in helping the young taekwondo players reach this level. The parents' statements also reveal the emotional investment and hopes riding on their children's shoulders as they prepare to compete against India's top young martial artists in their respective age categories.
Training and Official Support
Consistent training has been key to the athletes' success. Coach Badal Gupta, who also serves as secretary of Lakhisarai Taekwondo, confirmed that both Amisha and Aditya practice regularly at the Lakhisarai sports complex. Their training regimen has prepared them not just for district and divisional competitions but for the rigors of national-level participation. The coach emphasized their commitment to winning medals for the country at the national championship. District sports officer Ravi Kumar praised the continuous good performance of Lakhisarai athletes across various sports. He expressed optimism that these two taekwondo players would bring honor to Bihar by performing well at the national championship. The official support from district sports authorities demonstrates the recognition of local talent and the infrastructure available for nurturing young athletes. The combination of dedicated coaching, regular practice facilities, and administrative encouragement has created an environment where young sports talents from Lakhisarai can compete successfully at higher levels and represent their state on national platforms.
Source: Link