Imphal, Oct 21: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh was conferred the 9th Dan Grand Master distinction by the Global Traditional Taekwondo Federation (GTTF) on Wednesday, recognising his contribution to the martial art.
GTTF president Grand Master Jun Lee presented the distinction during the inauguration of the 1st Manipur State Poomsae Taekwondo Championship 2026 at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium.
The Chief Minister, who has a longstanding association with taekwondo, also demonstrated his martial arts skills and reflexes at the event.
Lee described Khemchand Singh as one of India’s outstanding taekwondo practitioners in the early 1980s, saying he had won national championships multiple times and played a pioneering role in establishing and popularising the discipline in the country.
Although now known primarily as a political leader, Lee said, Khemchand Singh had made his mark in taekwondo long before entering politics and continued to practise the martial art.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the championship, being held with the participation of a delegation from South Korea, taekwondo’s country of origin, would give Manipur’s practitioners greater exposure and opportunities to compete at international standards.
He expressed hope that the event would strengthen the sport in the state and help it gain wider recognition.
Home and Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Govindas Konthoujam said Manipur had abundant sporting talent and described the championship as an important step towards developing a stronger and more inclusive taekwondo movement.
He called for a sporting culture based on discipline, equal opportunities and recognition of young people’s talent, urging youth to shun violence and contribute to a peaceful society through sports.
The inaugural programme also featured a demonstration of Manipur’s traditional martial art, Thang-Ta, by the Huyen Lallong Manipur Thang-Ta Cultural Association. Students from Shinhan University, South Korea, presented a performance.
The 31-member GTTF delegation, which includes three-time Olympic medallist Hwang Kyung-Seon, is visiting Manipur from October 19 to 24.
The ceremony was attended by MLAs, senior officials, coaches, students and parents.
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