Bringing laurels to the country and Nagaland in particular, team Faith In Action emerged as the world champions in the “Team Aerobic Competition” at the World Taekwon-do Hanmadang 2014 from August 21-24 at Pohang City, South Korea. Also in a significant achievement, team FIA was able to break the 40-year old national jinx to win a team event at the International arena.
What was more impressive was that, FIA was the only squad that won medals for India-- 1 gold in team event (Team Aerobic Competition), 1 individual gold (Long Kick), 1 silver medal (Long Kick) and 10 bronze medals.
The 20-member squad of team Faith In Action was among the 38 participants who represented India under the banner of Taekwondo Board of India. Altogether around 4000 participants from 147 countries took part in the competition.
Talking to Nagaland Post, coach-cum-participant of team FIA, Deep Kumar said: “It was a remarkable achievement for FIA. For forty years India was unable to win gold in the team events. And this time, our team (FIA) was able to break that jinx and prove to the world and India that a small state like Nagaland had the potential.”
Deep said: “We also took the opportunity to showcase Naga culture by adding traditional waistcoat with our Taekwondo dress and combining Naga traditional dance during the Team Aerobic competition. The combination made the team unique.” Team FIA expressed gratitude to all those who had supported them through their journey of success.
Deep said that the Faith In Action team was also invited by Grandmaster Lee Jeong Hee, who introduced them to members of the Kukkiwon (world Taekwon-do headquarters) and president Won Sik Kang.
Lee Jeong Hee acknowledged the performance and was particularly impressed and curious about the team combining Naga costume and traditional dance.
Deep said that the grand-master also conveyed his wishes to the people of Nagaland.
It may be mentioned that Faith In Action team has also won various national and regional competitions. They were also among the semi-finalists in the India’s Got Talent 2011.
~Nagaland Post
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