Patna: Bihar’s emerging sporting talent is set to take centre stage internationally, with two young taekwondo players earning places in the Indian team following their performances at the SGFI Under-18 Taekwondo Selection Trials-2026 in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
Himanshu Kumar from Shekhpura and Vishal Kumar from Gopalganj will represent India at the ISF Gymnasiade-2026, scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from December 3 to 8.
Their selection marks an important achievement for Bihar’s school-level sporting ecosystem, as both players have progressed from district-level sporting backgrounds to a national selection and now an international competition.
Strong Performances at National Trials
The national selection trials were held in Raipur on September 14 and 15, bringing together young taekwondo players competing for places in the Indian team.
Himanshu Kumar secured his place in the Under-51 kg category, while Vishal Kumar earned selection in the Under-68 kg category.
Both players faced strong competition during the trials and performed well enough to secure their berths in the Indian contingent. Their selection also highlights the growing opportunities available to young athletes from districts beyond Bihar’s traditional sporting centres.
For the two players, the national selection is now a major step towards competing on one of the world’s prominent school-level international sporting platforms.
Read Also: Bihar to Speed Up ROB Construction, 50 Bridges Targeted by June 2028
From Shekhpura and Gopalganj to the World Stage
The achievement of Himanshu and Vishal carries significance beyond their individual selection.
Coming from Shekhpura and Gopalganj, the two players represent the growing pool of sporting talent emerging from Bihar’s districts. Their journey shows how young athletes can progress through sustained training and competitive exposure to reach national and international platforms.
Their success could also encourage other young players in Bihar who begin their sporting journeys at district grounds and local training centres.
With both athletes now preparing for the competition in Brazil, attention will shift towards their training and performance as they get ready to compete against school-level athletes from different countries.
Bihar’s Sporting Talent Gets a Global Platform
Ravindran Shankaran, Director General-cum-Chief Executive Officer of the Bihar State Sports Authority, congratulated Himanshu and Vishal on their selection.
He said the ISF Gymnasiade is an important international sporting platform for school athletes from across the world. According to him, the selection of players from two different districts of Bihar through the national selection process reflects the potential of emerging sporting talent in the state.
The achievement is also significant from the perspective of sports development in Bihar. International-level sporting opportunities are increasingly becoming accessible to athletes from smaller cities and districts, allowing young players to gain exposure beyond state and national competitions.
Coaching and Guidance Behind Their Success
The progress of both players has been supported by regular practice, coaching and guidance.
Coach Vivek Prakash and manager Khushbu Kumari played an important role in supporting the players through their preparation and competition journey.
Their guidance, along with the players’ continued training and performances, helped Himanshu and Vishal reach the national selection stage and eventually secure places in the Indian team.
The next challenge will be to convert this selection into a strong performance at the ISF Gymnasiade in Rio de Janeiro.
For Bihar, the journey of the two players is also a reminder of the sporting potential developing beyond the state’s major urban centres. As Himanshu and Vishal prepare to wear the Indian jersey in Brazil, their achievement gives young athletes across Bihar another example of how district-level sporting talent can progress towards international competition.
Read Also: Bihar’s New Paddy Playbook: Parboiled Rice in Every District, GPS Tracking on Roads
