City Taekwondo champ realises his dream of representing India abroad

When city-based

Taekwondo

player B Sai Deepak last spoke to Hyderabad Times in July, he was distraught. Despite having six Taekwondo world records to his credit, the 23-year-old could not compete in international competitions due to lack of funds. Today, the Yousufguda boy is in the UK representing India in the British Autumn Open Taekwondo Championship 2019. It’s all thanks to the Hyderabad Times article dated July 30, confessed Deepak, speaking to us, before he left India on Monday. “Soon after the article was published, people came forward to donate necessary funds that I needed to take part in international competitions.”
Talking about how his fortunes changed, Deepak elaborated, “Until I got featured in Hyderabad Times, I didn’t know that there were so many people ready to help a sportsperson in need. I started getting calls from many well-wishers and friends soon after the article was published. Soon, my dream to represent India in the International Taekwondo Championship started to materialise.”

“I got over 2.5 lakh funds from different people. I also received appreciation from Governor of Himachal Pradesh Bandaru Dattatreya, Nizamabad MP Arvind Garu and Rachakonda Commissioner of Police Mahesh Bhagwat. Thanks to funds I received, I will now be competing in the British Open as well as the US World Open Taekwondo Championship from February 27 to March 2 next year.” Besides training hard to win laurels for the country in international tournamnets, the youngster also tried to rewrite the record books in Taekwondo, in the last couple of months. He recently attempted Guinness World Records in multiple categories — most martial arts kicks by a pair in one minute, most lunges carrying 9lb weight in one minute and most side lunges in one minute. Even as he awaits confirmation from the officials concerned about his record attempts, his big dream of representing India at in 2024 Paris Olympics, still hangs in the balance.

“Inspite of overwhelming support from people in the city and fulfilling my dream of representing India at the International Championships, my Olympic dream will not materialise because I’m yet to obtain a GAL (Global Athletes License) card from Taekwondo Federation of India. The federation has not been functioning due to delay in its election procedure, and as a result, I’m yet to receive a GAL card,” laments Deepak. Admittedly, without a GAL card, his performances in international competitions will not be added to his Olympic score tally, that is required to qualify for the showpiece event. “I can only gain experience from these tournaments but it will not help me progress as an athlete. Unless I get my GAL card, I can’t compete in important tournaments. I hope the federation can grant me the card soon. Until then, I will keep playing and competing,” says Deepak, signing off.