New Taekwondo Program Launched in Bellary to Train Future Olympians

Introduction to the Taekwondo Initiative

The Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS), in partnership with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), has unveiled a new residential taekwondo program in Bellary. This initiative aims to cultivate athletes who can compete at the Olympic level. A total of 24 athletes, comprising 12 men and 12 women aged between 16 and 26, have been selected through a comprehensive nationwide scouting effort. The program is designed to serve as a high-performance pathway, focusing on preparing these athletes for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, according to a recent press release.

Support and Objectives

Innocean has also provided support for this initiative, helping to launch the project and committing to partial funding over the next two years. Despite an increase in participation in taekwondo, India has yet to win a medal in this sport at the Olympic Games or World Championships. This program aims to address this shortfall by offering athletes access to elite coaching, structured training, and top-tier support systems.

Talent Identification Process

IIS and SAI have conducted a thorough talent identification process over the last four months. This involved scouting athletes at three national championships and organizing two selection camps. More than 200 athletes were evaluated, with final selections based on their performance, potential, and readiness for high-performance training.

Expert Evaluation

The selection process was enhanced by the involvement of internationally recognized experts, including two-time Olympic champion Jade Jones and world champion Jaouad Achab. They were supported by Toni Tomas and Lovre Brecic, who played crucial roles in assessing the athletes throughout the selection process.

Leadership of the Program

David Arturo Davis Diaz will serve as the head coach, overseeing daily training and athlete development. The program will be guided by Gary Hall, the High Performance Director at IIS, who has previously implemented a successful high-performance model in the UK that contributed to Olympic medal achievements.

Official Remarks on the Launch

Gary Hall expressed his enthusiasm regarding the launch, stating, "I am truly excited and delighted with the progress we have made in advancing the talent identification program. We have successfully taken it through multiple phases, starting in Assam, followed by the Federation Cup, the Jaipur selections, and the Patna state trials. Along the way, we've conducted several talent development sessions, including an intensive camp at IIS last week."

"The level of talent we're seeing is extremely promising. While there is still a great deal of hard work ahead, we have brought in some outstanding coaches and support staff who will help accelerate this journey. Overall, I am very encouraged by the potential this program holds," he added.

Manisha Malhotra, President of IIS, also expressed gratitude towards the Sports Authority of India and its Director General, Hari Ranjan Rao, for their unwavering support. She noted, "This program would not have been possible without their backing. We look forward to strengthening this partnership and working together to develop world-class taekwondo athletes."

"With Gary Hall, who played a key role in Great Britain's success in taekwondo on the world stage, joining IIS as High Performance Director, expanding into the sport was a natural step forward. We are immensely pleased to introduce taekwondo as our latest residential program at IIS, coming just weeks after the official launch of rowing."