New Delhi, February 1: Arunachal Pradesh’s taekwondo star Rupa Bayor has been honoured with the Best Taekwondo Poomsae Player of the Year 2026 award at the India Taekwondo Gala Awards, marking a major milestone for both the athlete and Indian taekwondo on the global stage.
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| Arunachal taekwondo star Rupa Bayor receives the Best Poomsae Player of the Year 2026 award from Seo Jeong Kang at the India Taekwondo Gala Awards in New Delhi. |
The prestigious award was conferred in recognition of Bayor’s outstanding international achievements, including attaining World Taekwondo (WT) World Rank 6 and Asia Rank 1 in Poomsae—an achievement that highlights India’s growing presence in elite global taekwondo rankings.
The award ceremony was held on January 27, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency, where the honour was presented by Seo Jeong Kang, Secretary General of World Taekwondo, the international governing body of the sport under the International Olympic Committee.
Organised by India Taekwondo, the gala recognised exceptional performances by Indian taekwondo athletes at national and international levels, celebrating excellence, discipline, and consistency in the sport. The Indo-Korean Taekwondo Academy expressed pride in Bayor’s achievement, describing it as a landmark moment for the academy and the country.
Beyond her sporting success, Bayor’s journey stands as a story of resilience and determination. Having lost her father at a young age, she was raised by her mother, a single parent who worked tirelessly to support her daughter’s dreams in sport.
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Congratulating the athlete, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said the achievement places India at the pinnacle of global taekwondo and described Bayor as an inspiration to athletes from the mountains and beyond.
Bayor’s recognition as the Best Poomsae Player of the Year is being hailed as a proud moment for Arunachal Pradesh and a significant boost for Indian taekwondo’s international aspirations.
