Historic Feat: Keran athletes shine at National Taekwondo Championship

Kupwara, Jan 11: In a notable feat, two athletes hailing from the Keran area of north Kashmir's Kupwara district made their mark at the 6th National Taekwondo Championship in Odisha, earning prestigious bronze and silver medals.

This historic achievement stands as the first of its kind for the region, adding a commendable chapter to its sports legacy.

Mohammad Arslan and Aliya Azmat were the first athletes from Keran to participate in a national event and take home bronze and silver medals respectively.

Aliya prevailed over participants from Chandigarh and Delhi and won the silver medal while Mohammad Arsalan defeated competitors from Chandigarh and Maharashtra to secure the bronze.

Both athletes expressed satisfaction with their performance. "Our performance will certainly inspire other youth in Keran to participate at the national level. I am thankful to my parents who supported me at every stage which ultimately bore fruits," Aliya told Greater Kashmir.

Meanwhile, people in Keran are overwhelmed by the performance shown by Aliya and Arsalan at the national level. "Their performance will boost the morale of local youth to become a Taekwondo player," said a local Naseem Ahmad.

The locals however demanded to upgrade the sports facilities at Keran for the larger interest of youth.