In a significant development for martial arts in India, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has committed to promoting Kung Fu and Tai Chi within the state's educational institutions. This assurance came during a meeting with the victorious Indian Tai Chi team, which recently returned from an international competition with an impressive medal tally.
Historic Medal Haul at World Stage
The pledge from the Governor follows a remarkable performance by Indian athletes at the 9th World Tai Chi competition held in Taiwan from October 24 to 26. The Indian contingent secured a total of seven medals, showcasing their prowess on the global platform. The medal breakdown included two gold, three silver, and two bronze medals.
Players from Uttar Pradesh contributed significantly to this national success. The state's athletes bagged one gold, two silver, and one bronze medal, as confirmed by Gyan Prakash Tripathi, General Secretary of the UP Kung Fu Association.
Governor Honours Champions
Governor Anandiben Patel personally congratulated the medal winners during the meeting at Raj Bhavan in Lucknow. She specially commended Nirbhay Raj, a student of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University, for winning a gold medal. Silver medalists Khushi Tripathi and Sanskriti, along with bronze medal winners Shruti Singh, Manju, and Krishna Kumar, were also felicitated for their achievements.
The delegation, which included Indian team manager Rajendra Kumar Gautam and coordinator Shishupal Singh, presented the Governor with a book on Tai Chi published by Harvard University and an oil painting of Bodhidharma, the founder of Kung Fu. Grandmaster Gyan Prakash Tripathi of the International Kung Fu Federation was part of this presentation.
Former Prasar Bharati chairman Navneet Sehgal also extended his congratulations to the triumphant team.
Concurrent Sporting Success in Lucknow
In another sporting event in the state capital, the State Women's Boxing Championship witnessed stellar performances from local pugilists. The semifinals held at KD Singh Babu Stadium on Tuesday saw several boxers from Lucknow advancing to the final round.
Ragini Upadhyay (Bantamweight 51-54 kg), Anamika Yadav (Featherweight 54-57 kg), and Sonia (Lightweight 57-60 kg) all won their respective bouts to secure their places in the finals. They will be joined by other finalists from across Uttar Pradesh, including athletes from Jhansi, Agra, Aligarh, Meerut, Gorakhpur, and Varanasi.
Para Judo Achievements
Adding to Uttar Pradesh's sporting accolades, the state's junior para judo team put up a strong show at the 14th National Para Judo Championships in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. The UP team finished as the runner-up, securing four gold and four bronze medals. The championship was hosted at the Blooming Dales International School.
The Governor's assurance to integrate these traditional martial arts into school and university curricula marks a potential turning point for sports education in Uttar Pradesh, aiming to nurture talent from the grassroots level following these international and national successes.
