Bengaluru teen has made the country proud by winning the gold medal in the Open International Taekwondo Championships in the under-21 category in China.
This is not the win for 19 year old Prajwal Bhopal. He has won four other gold medals and one silver medal in previous editions of the same competition between 2012 and 2016.
Prajwal who currently studies in St Joseph’s College of Commerce, was a student of Little Angels Public School, Kanaka Nagar. He had great school teachers who supported and encouraged him to pursue the martial art.
“I started taekwondo as a hobby during school and my teachers who saw potential in me, said that I should pursue it further,” said Prajwal.
He now trains 4 hours a day, but sometimes finds it hard to balance his love for the sport and studies.
“I try hard to do justice to both taekwondo and studies as I cannot ignore either,” he said.
It has not been easy ride for Prajwal, as financial problems constantly crept up. However, his father who is is a TV technician was fortunate to have friends and family members that were ready to help.
Prajwal hopes to participate in the Olympics someday.“My immediate focus is the World Taekwondo competition in August. I cannot participate in the Rio Olympics as of now. Only those above 21 years can do so. I aim to represent the country in this prestigious event soon,” he said.
