IMPHAL: BJP legislator and former Rural Development Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has been awarded 5th Dan in the traditional Taekwondo martial art by the Global Traditional Taekwondo Federation in Seoul, South Korea, becoming the first person from India to receive the 5th Dan Black Belt in the traditional Taekwondo martial art style.
The certificate of the 5th Dan was issued by six Grand Masters in Taekwondo led by Jun Lee, president of the Global Traditional Taekwondo Federation.
The Global Traditional Taekwondo Federation is the highest body of the Korean Taekwondo in its traditional martial art style, while the World Taekwondo Federation controls its sports form.
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Vice president of the Global Traditional Taekwondo Federation, Mayong Suk on Tuesday facilitated Khemchand at the federation’s office in Seoul.
Khemchand was awarded the 5th Dan by the Global Traditional Taekwondo Federation in a Taekwondo promotion test conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Federation in October, 2024. He could not visit Seoul to receive the certificate earlier because of the ethnic conflict in Manipur.
In another development, the Sangrok World Taekwondo Academy, which functions under the World Taekwondo Federation, appreciated Khemchand for his dedication and contribution in the field of Taekwondo. The academy, which headquarters is located in Seoul, has 70 branches across the globe.
Technical Director of the academy, Grand Master Chang Seong Dong lauded the devotion shown by Khemchand for Taekwondo art. He said that Khemchand has played a pivotal role in spreading Taekwondo art in various parts of India.
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Sixty-two-year-old Khemchand started his career in Taekwondo when he was 16 years of age. He was the founder president of the All Assam Taekwondo Association in 1982. He was one of the pioneers in the promotion of Taekwondo martial art in Manipur. Khemchand was recognized in the early 1980s as a key figure in popularizing the sport and forming the Taekwondo Federation of India. He had earlier served as the vice president of the Taekwondo Federation of India.