Arunachal's Rupa Bayor Becomes First Indian in Top 10 of World Taekwondo Poomsae Rankings

Rupa Bayor, a 23-year-old Taekwondo athlete from Arunachal Pradesh, has made history by becoming the first Indian to break into the top 10 of the World Poomsae Rankings. She achieved this milestone in October 2022, marking a landmark moment for Indian Taekwondo.

Bayor's accomplishments include a gold medal at the national team trials for the 8th Asian Taekwondo Championships in 2022, where she also won India’s first-ever medal in the competition. Speaking recently about her journey, she stressed the need for greater government support to help the sport grow in India.

"It was not my effort alone and it was not easy. My coaches and family played a big role, especially Welspun, which supported me financially even before I won medals," Bayor said, expressing gratitude to her coach, family, and the Welspun Super Sports Women's Program for their consistent support throughout her career.

Bayor's introduction to Taekwondo came in 2015 when her uncle, a karate master, encouraged her to take up the sport, highlighting its Olympic recognition and potential for government backing. Although she initially knew little about Taekwondo and found Karate to be more popular, her uncle's belief in its future opportunities convinced her to give it a try.

Bayor turned professional in 2021 and has since achieved significant success on the international stage, including a silver medal at the Asian Open in Indonesia. However, she pointed out the challenges faced by Indian Taekwondo athletes, such as inadequate funding and lack of government attention.

"Taekwondo is an Olympic sport, but we are lagging behind. Our federation struggles due to insufficient funds, and players often have to bear their own expenses to compete in tournaments. Proper sponsorships, uniforms, and pride in representing the country are essential. The government needs to focus on our sport," she said.

Looking to the future, Bayor has set her sights on major tournaments in 2026, including the Asian Championships, World Championships, and Asian Games. "I know I have areas to improve, and I’m focused on training harder. These events are key for me to qualify for the Asian Games and Olympics," she concluded.

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