Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh conferred Grand Master 9th Dan in Taekwondo

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh was conferred the Grand Master 9th Dan title by the Global Traditional Taekwondo Federation (GTTF) on October 21 at the inaugural ceremony of the 1st Manipur State Poomsae Taekwondo Championship 2026 in Imphal.

GTTF president Grand Master Jun Lee presented the title to the chief minister at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium. Singh also demonstrated his martial arts skills and reflexes during the event, according to a press release issued by the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

Addressing the gathering, Singh said the championship, organised with the participation of a team led by Lee from South Korea, the country where taekwondo originated, would help Manipur’s taekwondo practitioners gain greater international exposure.

He expressed hope that the Poomsae championship would promote the sport and contribute to its further growth in the state.

Praising Singh, Lee said the chief minister was among India’s prominent taekwondo practitioners in the early 1980s. He said Singh had won the national championship multiple times and was among the pioneers of taekwondo in India.

“Many know him as a leader, but long before he entered politics, he was a Taekwondo Champion, and he is still a taekwondo man,” Lee said.

Manipur Home and Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Govindas Konthoujam said the state had abundant sporting talent across disciplines and described the championship as a foundation for building a stronger and more inclusive taekwondo movement.

He called for promoting a sporting culture based on discipline, equal opportunities and recognition of talent and determination among young people. He also urged the youth to reject violence and contribute to building a peaceful society through sports.

The programme featured a demonstration of Thang-Ta, Manipur’s traditional martial art, by the Huyen Lallong Manipur Thang-Ta Cultural Association. Students from South Korea’s Shinhan University also delivered a performance.

A 31-member GTTF delegation is visiting Manipur from October 19 to 24. The delegation includes Hwang Kyung-Seon, a three-time Olympic medallist.

MLAs, senior administrative officers, officials of the Youth Affairs and Sports Department, coaches, students and parents attended the programme.