Bihar’s Himanshu Kumar and Vishal Kumar
Patna: Bihar’s Himanshu Kumar and Vishal Kumar have secured places in the India team for the ISF Gymnasiade 2026 after impressive performances at the SGFI Under-18 Taekwondo Selection Trials held in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on September 14 and 15.
Raveendran Sankaran, director general-cum-chief executive officer of the Bihar State Sports Authority, said the two players will represent India at the ISF Gymnasiade 2026, scheduled to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from December 3 to 8.
Himanshu Kumar from Sheikhpura district earned his place in the Under-51kg category, while Gopalganj’s Vishal Kumar was selected in the Under-68kg category.
Sankaran said the ISF Gymnasiade is an important international sporting platform for school athletes from across the world.
The achievement is particularly significant for Bihar as the two players, hailing from different districts, have made it through a national-level selection process for an international competition. Their selection demonstrates the potential of athletes emerging from the state’s smaller towns and districts to represent the country on the international stage.
Their achievement is also expected to inspire other young players who begin their sporting journeys in their respective districts and aspire to compete at bigger platforms.
Coach Vivek Prakash and manager Khushbu Kumari played an important role in guiding the two players through the selection process.
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