Yumnam Khemchand Singh bought the Fifth Dan certificate from the Global Passe Taekwondo Federation (GTTF), on the organisation’s living of business in Seoul. Photo: Particular Map
Worn Manipur Minister and Bharatiya Janata Social gathering MLA, Yumnam Khemchand Singh, has change into the first Indian to get the Fifth Dan unlit belt in the passe taekwondo art fashion.
He bought the Fifth Dan certificate from Mayong Suk, the vice president of the Global Passe Taekwondo Federation (GTTF), on the organisation’s living of business in Seoul on Tuesday (December 30, 2025), more than a year after incomes the extent after a promotion take a look at.
The certificate was issued by six taekwondo grandmasters led by Jun Jee, the president of the GTTF, the very ideal physique of the Korean martial art produce in its passe fashion. The passe produce differs from the Olympic taekwondo by focusing more on comprehensive self-defence, hand methods (punches and blocks), and low stances.
Mr Singh earned the Fifth Dan in October 2024, however might not plod to the South Korean capital to get it due to the ethnic war in Manipur.
The Seoul-headquartered Sangrok World Taekwondo Academy, which functions underneath the World Taekwondo Federation and has 70 branches across the globe, lauded Mr Singh for his dedication and contribution to the martial art produce.
“He has performed a pivotal feature in spreading taekwondo in diversified parts of India,” the academy’s technical director, Grandmaster Chang Seong Dong, mentioned.
Mr Singh, 62, started practising taekwondo when he was 16 and founded the All Assam Taekwondo Association in 1982. He was one of the critical pioneers in the promotion of taekwondo in Manipur.
He was also recognised in the early Eighties as a key decide in popularising the martial art as a sport and forming the Taekwondo Federation of India.
Published – December 31, 2025 03:57 am IST
