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It is time for studies for Venkatesh, but after that it will be rigorous training
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Photo: G. Krishnaswamy
In action Coach Saleem Chause (left) trains young Venkatesh who has been selected for the national camp preparing for the World junior taekwondo championship to be held in Turkey in May, this year.
Seventeen-year-old A. Venkatesh is among those who have been selected for the national camp for the Indian team which is preparing for the World junior taekwondo championship to be held in Izmir in Turkey between May 8 and 11.
However at present this youngster studying for his intermediate course in Little Flower Junior College in Uppal is concentrating on his studies since his exams are around the corner. After that he will join the four-month coaching camp now in progress in Bhopal where the Indian squad is being trained under the guidance of an Iranian coach.
He was thrilled when he got a letter from the Taekwondo Federation of India in December, informing him that he had been selected for the national coaching camp.
Before he goes for the junior world meet however, Venkatesh will take part in the taekwondo competitions of the school games championship which is to be held in Kerala. It is expected that he will do well in the national level meet since Venkatesh is already an experienced international and has won several state and national medals.
His coach in Hyderabad is Saleem Chause who has trained him for several years at the Sarathi Taekwondo Academy. Saleem is all praise for his highly talented protégé. According to the coach, Venkatesh has a lot of determination and the will to keep learning as he progresses from one level to another in his career. At present Venkatesh is a black belt (first dan).
A total of ten players will represent India in various weight categories in the world juniors meet. Venkatesh will be taking part in the 73-78 kg category. He expects the competition to be extremely tough.
“The strongest teams are usually from Iran and Korea. Their technique and stamina is very good and we must try to emulate them,” he says. Venkatesh’s comment would not come as a surprise to those who know about this martial art since it originated in Korea and Korean experts have practised and developed the sport to its present form. Japanese and Chinese influences have also played a role in shaping its present style and techniques.
Venkatesh who took part in the Asian Junior Championship in 2007 feels that Indian players still have a log way to go but is hopeful that with hard work, good coaching and correct guidance, Indians will also be a force to reckon with one day. He himself is keeping up a regular training regimen which includes sparring and fitness routines and is hopeful that one day he will realise his goal of obtaining a medal against the top practitioners of this sport.
ABHIJIT SEN GUPTA
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