Ayesha Binti Aamir made history on Friday by winning a bronze medal at the 38th Sub-Junior National Taekwondo Championship, held from November 29 to December 1, 2024, at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula, Haryana. This achievement marks a groundbreaking moment, as Ayesha becomes the first-ever Sub-Junior female athlete from Kashmir and Jammu & Kashmir to earn a national medal in Taekwondo.
At just 12 years old, Ayesha hails from the Shopian district in South Kashmir. Her victory is not only a personal triumph but also a milestone for the region, showcasing the immense potential of athletes from remote areas. Competing in her first-ever national competition, Ayesha's dedication, skill, and perseverance earned her a coveted bronze medal, the highest honor ever achieved by any sub-junior female athlete from Kashmir in recognized Taekwondo competitions.
Ayesha is a regular trainee at these Khelo India Taekwondo Centre in Shopian, which has been instrumental in nurturing her talent. Winning a medal in Taekwondo, an Olympic sport, is a remarkable accomplishment, underscoring the growing importance of grassroots sports initiatives.
The athlete and her family expressed their gratitude to Ms. Nuzhat Gull, Secretary of the J&K Sports Council, for providing valuable platforms like Khelo India to foster young talent. They emphasized the success of such initiatives in promoting sports, particularly in remote areas, and encouraging youth to pursue their athletic dreams.
Ayesha’s victory is a testament to the power of sports in shaping the future of young athletes, inspiring many others from her community and beyond to follow in her footsteps.
Aquib Gulzar’s coaching helped Ayesha, a taekwondo player, achieve remarkable success by securing a medal in just 1 years. This rapid progress likely reflects Aquib's expertise in taekwondo training, his ability to identify and hone Ayesha's skills, and his tailored approach to the athlete's development. In such a short period, achieving a medal is a testament to both Ayesha’s dedication and Aquib’s effective coaching methods.