Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 7: Numair Shabir, 24, a resident of Srinagar’s Hazratbal area has emerged victorious in the 11th Fujairah International Taekwondo Championship, securing his ticket to the upcoming Australia International Championship scheduled for May 4-5 this year. Numair’s recent achievements include clinching a gold medal at the 6th National Taekwondo Championship in Odisha.
Recalling his journey, he said, “In January this year, I played the 6th National Taekwondo Championship in Odisha where I won a Gold medal.” Following his success, he participated in the Fujairah Championship in Dubai, where he secured his spot in the Australia International Championship.
Reflecting on his journey, Numair shared, “I started my journey in 2007 when I represented my school Kashmir Harvard Educational Institute in an inter-school competition and won a gold medal.”
Expressing gratitude for the opportunity to represent Jammu and Kashmir at the national level, he added, “Being a Kashmiri, representing India at the national level is itself an honour.”
“I still get a magical feeling when I look up from a tiring drill and see myself as part of the group, with my incredible mentor, my father, leading the way,” Numair recounted, highlighting the pivotal role of his father in his martial arts journey.
“It’s this amazing feeling of ‘Wow. Is this really me?'” he added, reflecting on his growth in the sport despite encountering challenges. In a message to aspiring athletes, Numair emphasized, “A goal without a plan is just a dream. And for achieving dreams, good health is really important, by maintaining a good life cycle; life will be full of positivity.”
He urged individuals to remain focused and avoid distractions, asserting, “There’s nothing satisfying more than living a life you always have dreamt of. Nothing is impossible here.” Discussing the rising interest in Taekwondo and martial arts among Kashmiri youths, Numair remarked, “The future of Taekwondo in Kashmir holds potential for growth. Many youth are taking interest in Martial Arts,” noting the emergence of martial arts coaching academies in the region.
He expressed optimism about the future of sports in Kashmir and praised social influencers for promoting martial arts awareness.
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