Kargil, Mar 22: Ladakh has once again drawn national attention in the field of sports, as its taekwondo athletes delivered a commanding performance at the All India Inter-University Taekwondo Championships 2026, securing top honours and extending the region’s medal-winning run.
The latest achievements came on March 21, with two athletes from Ladakh clinching gold medals in separate events, underlining the region’s steady rise in university-level taekwondo competitions across the country.
International taekwondo player Shahnaz Parveen secured a gold medal at the championship held in Odisha from March 16 to 20. In a parallel success, Sonam Chospal emerged victorious at the All India Inter-University Championship hosted by DAV University in Jalandhar, also finishing at the top of the podium.
Both athletes represented Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Haryana, which has, over the years, provided a platform for Ladakhi sportspersons through its sports quota system. The institutional backing has played a role in enabling athletes from the region to compete and excel at national-level tournaments.
Officials associated with the Ladakh Taekwondo Association said the performances reflect a consistent pattern of excellence maintained by local players since 2021. The sustained presence on the medal tally points to a disciplined training environment and growing competitive exposure.
General Secretary Anayat Ali Shotopa congratulated the athletes on their achievements and acknowledged the contribution of Coach Ashoka of MDU for his continued engagement in mentoring players from Ladakh. He noted that such collaborations have helped strengthen sporting ties between Ladakh and Haryana while offering athletes access to structured training and competition.
The twin victories have added to the sense of celebration in the region, coinciding with the festive period, and have further reinforced Ladakh’s position as an emerging centre for taekwondo talent at the university level.
With a steady stream of podium finishes in recent years, the region’s athletes continue to establish their presence in national competitions, reflecting both individual commitment and institutional support systems that are shaping the next generation of sportspersons.
