New Delhi, February 1: Arunachal Pradesh’s celebrated taekwondo athlete Rupa Bayor has added another remarkable achievement to her growing list of accolades after being honoured with the Best Taekwondo Poomsae Player of the Year 2026 award at the prestigious India Taekwondo Gala Awards. The recognition marks a significant milestone not only in Bayor’s sporting career but also for Indian taekwondo, highlighting the country’s increasing prominence 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 award was presented during a grand ceremony held on January 27, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in New Delhi. Bayor received the honour from Seo Jeong Kang, Secretary General of World Taekwondo, the international governing body of the sport recognized by the International Olympic Committee.
Bayor was selected for the prestigious award in recognition of her exceptional performances in international taekwondo competitions and her outstanding achievements in the Poomsae category. She currently holds the distinction of being ranked World No. 6 and Asia No. 1 in Poomsae under World Taekwondo rankings, a feat that has placed both India and Arunachal Pradesh firmly on the global taekwondo map.
The India Taekwondo Gala Awards, organised by India Taekwondo, celebrate athletes, coaches, and officials who have demonstrated excellence, discipline, and dedication to the sport. The event brought together some of the finest talents in Indian taekwondo and acknowledged their contributions to the development of the martial art in the country.
The Indo-Korean Taekwondo Academy expressed immense pride over Bayor’s recognition, describing it as a landmark achievement for the academy and a historic moment for Indian taekwondo. The academy noted that her success reflects years of hard work, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Beyond her sporting accomplishments, Bayor’s journey is widely regarded as a powerful story of resilience and determination. She lost her father at a young age and was raised by her mother, a single parent who worked tirelessly to support her daughter’s ambitions. Despite numerous challenges, Bayor remained focused on her goals and steadily rose through the ranks to become one of the world’s leading Poomsae athletes.
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Congratulating the athlete on her achievement, Pema Khandu praised Bayor for bringing glory to Arunachal Pradesh and India. He stated that her accomplishment has elevated India’s standing in international taekwondo and serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes, particularly those from remote and mountainous regions of the country.
Bayor’s recognition as the Best Taekwondo Poomsae Player of the Year 2026 is being celebrated across Arunachal Pradesh as a proud moment for the state. Her achievement is expected to inspire a new generation of young sportspersons and further strengthen India’s ambitions of becoming a major force in global taekwondo. With her continued success on the international stage, Bayor has emerged as one of the brightest ambassadors of Indian sports and a symbol of perseverance, dedication, and excellence.
