7-year-old ‘Karate Kid’ from Phagwara wins gold in taekwondo c'ship in South Korea

Jalandhar, August 17

Aaniyaa Goyal, a 7-year-old from Phagwara, has won the gold medal in the Open National Taekwondo Poomae and Speed Kicking Championship 2021. The event was organised by Korean Combat Martial Arts Academy, Kokkiwon, South Korea.

Aaniyaa, who started learning taekwondo three months ago, particpated in the U-7 sub-junior girls category. The event was held from July 10 to July 13 and the results were declared recently.

Aaniyaa’s father Abhineet Goyal, who is as an associate professor, said he has also played taekwondo.

The 7-year-old’s curious brain would always find taekwondo very amusing, but it was after watching a movie that she took the sport.

“My daughter used to see me practicing some moves at home. After watching ‘The Karate Kid’, she told me that she wanted to learn the sport,” said Abhineet.

As this little wonder started learning during the pandemic, her father was her first coach who kept a check on her diet and taught her minute details regarding the game. The event was held online due to the pandemic. Earlier, the championship used to be held in Mumbai. “It is a tough job for the 7-year-old to kick 72 times. By bending the body at a specific angle it’s achievable,” said Abhineet. — TNS