Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, June 25: Aruna Tanwar, 21-year-old daughter of a driver and B PEd student of Chandigarh University Gharuan, has been officially selected to represent India at Paralympics Tokyo 2021.
Aruna Tanwar who hails from village Dinod near Bhiwani, currently ranks world number 4 in the women’s under 49 Taekwondo category and has won bronze medal at both Asian Para Taekwondo Championship & World Para-Taekwondo Championship in 2019.
This was stated by Dr R S Bawa, Pro-Chancellor, Chandigarh University, during a press interaction at Mohali. Taekwondo player Aruna’s father Naresh Tanwar and her coach Ashok Kumar were also present on the occasion.
Chandigarh University announced R Tikaram Sports Scholarship worth Rs 1 crore for Para-Olympians from 2021. In addition 25 seats under sports category would be reserved for the Para-Athletes who would be eligible for academic scholarship up to 100 percent, free hostel accommodation, special diet and training allowances.
While talking to media, Aruna said, “I started learning the Taekwondo sport at the age of 8 and for next 8 years I competed in the normal category. It was during 2017 when I was declared not eligible to compete at International level due to deformity in my both hands after which I shifted to Paralympics category”. Aruna expressed her excitement to participate in Paralympics representing India in Taekwondo as the sport is making its Paralympic debut this year. She is one of the 72 taekwondo players from 37 nations competing in the Paralympics.
“The martial art is not only a sport and I consider it as a tool for women empowerment. I want every Indian girl to learn martial Arts and use it as a tool for self-protection and defend themselves against the bad elements of the society” added Aruna Tanwar.
Chandigarh University honored Aruna Tanwar for her selection to Tokyo-2021 by presenting her a laptop which is essential for her practice sessions along with professional taekwondo kit during the press interaction ceremony.
“With her selection for Paralympics, Aruna will now become a role model for many, especially for girls,” said Dr R S Bawa, adding that Chandigarh University has introduced a special sports scholarship named after the famous international para-athlete and Arjun Awardee Ramesh Tikaram who is also known as father of para badminton popular in India.
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