The Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) is embarking on a mission to unearth India's next generation of Olympic medal hopefuls in taekwondo. The prestigious academy has announced a major talent identification drive titled 'IIS Taekwondo's Fighting Chance', specifically aimed at scouting female fighters for a long-term development programme targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Trials Schedule and Selection Criteria
The nationwide hunt will kick off with regional trials in two key cities. The first trial is scheduled for Guwahati on January 17-18, 2024, followed by a second event in Trivandrum on January 24-25, 2024. The ultimate goal is to identify and select eight elite female athletes between the ages of 16 and 26 who will be inducted into a world-class training system.
Eligibility for the trials is specific and demanding. Interested athletes must:
- Hold a blue belt or above in taekwondo.
- Have competition experience at the Indian junior or senior national championships.
- Be medically and physically fit to participate in a full-contact trial fight.
- Have a clean record with no history of doping suspensions or major disciplinary violations.
Notably, the programme is also open to female combat athletes from other martial arts disciplines who possess a high level of fighting experience, broadening the potential talent pool.
The Road to LA 2028: A Rigorous Training Pathway
Selected athletes from the regional trials will embark on an intensive and international training journey designed for peak performance. The pathway includes multiple phases of assessment and development.
First, the shortlisted candidates will attend a two-week training and assessment camp at the IIS campus in Vijayanagar. This will be followed by an extensive two-month training camp in Europe, exposing them to different styles and high-level competition. The final preparatory phase will involve a four-week high-performance camp in South Korea, the global powerhouse of taekwondo.
Upon successfully navigating this pathway, the top eight athletes will be offered a full-time professional contract with IIS. This contract grants them access to all the benefits of the institute's renowned high-performance support system, including coaching, sports science, nutrition, and medical care.
Expert Leadership and a Proven Blueprint
Spearheading this ambitious project is Gary Hall, a seasoned expert who played a pivotal role in building Great Britain's successful high-performance taekwondo structure. Hall brings decades of sports administration experience and a proven track record to the Indian initiative.
Expressing confidence in the programme, Hall stated that such systematic plans have yielded success in the past. "This is a systematic, well-mapped plan that can change the face of taekwondo in the country," he said in an official release. "My team and I have done this before and there’s no reason we can’t do it in India with its vast talent."
The 'Fighting Chance' initiative represents a significant, structured investment in women's taekwondo in India. By providing a clear pathway from talent identification to world-class training and ultimately to the Olympic stage, IIS aims to systematically build a cohort of athletes capable of competing for medals at the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
