Ahmed Tahan, a young taekwondo practitioner from Doda in India’s Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, won a silver medal at the 4th Mount Everest International Taekwondo Championships 2026 held in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The event, which ran from February 15 to 20 at Dashrath Stadium, brought together more than 1,200 athletes from 23 countries in both senior and junior divisions, including kyorugi (sparring) and poomsae (forms) categories. Organized by the Nepal Taekwondo Association and sanctioned by World Taekwondo as a G-1 level competition, with support from the Asian Taekwondo Union, the tournament featured high-level international competition across various age and weight groups.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, Ahmed Tahan competed in the Junior Boys Under 48 kg category and delivered a strong performance throughout the event. He trains regularly at Shield Taekwondo Academy in Doda under the guidance of coach Burhan Ud Din Khan, a certified coach and referee who has mentored several athletes from the region to international success.
The Indian contingent included other competitors such as Radha Sharma in Senior Women Under 53 kg, Khadija Ul Qubra in Senior Women Under 46 kg, and Mutaib Masood in Cadet Boys Under 57 kg. While specific results for these athletes were not immediately detailed, the team showed determination on the international stage. In the junior boys under-48 kg final, reports indicate Tahan faced Nepal’s Emon Rana, who claimed the gold medal.
Junaid Ali Khan, President of the Taekwondo Association for the region, congratulated the Indian participants for representing the country with pride. Vinod Kumar, who served as the India team coach, praised the players’ dedication and fighting spirit. Both also expressed appreciation to Master Atul Pangotra, an international coach and referee, for his ongoing support in developing taekwondo talent from Jammu and Kashmir.
The championship marked a significant showcase for taekwondo in South Asia, with Nepal hosting the event for the fourth time. The opening ceremony on February 16 drew attention from diplomatic figures, including South Korea’s Ambassador to Nepal Park Tae-young, who highlighted taekwondo’s role in promoting discipline, harmony, and cultural exchange between nations. Athletes from host Nepal secured several medals across categories, reflecting the sport’s strong domestic base, while participants from India, Pakistan, and other countries also achieved podium finishes in various divisions.
The event concluded with medal ceremonies recognizing outstanding performances amid displays of sportsmanship. As taekwondo grows globally, competitions like the Mount Everest Championships provide valuable opportunities for athletes from diverse backgrounds to gain international experience and contribute to the sport’s development in their home countries. Tahan’s podium finish adds to India’s recent contributions in junior international taekwondo events and highlights the cross-border appeal of the discipline in the region.
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