8-year-old Shivani Thapa brings glory to Sikkim with silver in national taekwondo

An 8-year-old girl from Gangtok has given the state a reason to celebrate by winning a silver medal at a national-level taekwondo competition. Little Shivani Thapa, a Class IV 'A' student of St. Thomas’ School, Gangtok, bagged the silver medal in the Sub-Junior Girls’ 24 kg category at the National Kyorugi Championship. The event was held at the Palzor Stadium, Gangtok, from August 23 to 25, under the Asmita Khelo India Women’s League.

The championship was jointly organized by the Sikkim Amateur Taekwondo Association (SATA), India Taekwondo, and Khelo India. It brought together more than 350 athletes from different parts of the country, turning Gangtok into a hub of sporting action for three days. For many of these young athletes, it was not just a competition but also a stage to test their skills, discipline, and determination.

The Asmita Khelo India Women’s League is an initiative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. It was started with the aim of encouraging girls and women to participate in competitive sports. The league focuses on creating opportunities for women in sports, building confidence, and promoting empowerment through discipline, fitness, and training. For many athletes, this platform has become the first step in their journey toward bigger national and even international competitions.

Shivani represented the Sikkim United Taekwondo Dojang, one of the well-known training centers in the state. She has been training under the guidance of Shri Bijay Gurung, an international referee, Miss Chultem Palmu Bhutia, a national referee, and several other senior coaches. Her medal-winning performance is the result of hard work, discipline, and regular training under these mentors.

For a young child to achieve such a feat in a national competition is not only rare but also very inspiring. Shivani, still in primary school, has shown a level of courage and confidence that many athletes take years to develop. Her success has become a matter of pride for her family, her school, and the entire state of Sikkim. Teachers and classmates at St. Thomas’ School have expressed joy and pride over her victory. Many of them believe that Shivani’s achievement will encourage other students to take up sports and pursue them seriously.