Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh’s Rupa Bayor has been named the Best Taekwondo Poomsae Player of the Year at the 2026 India Taekwondo Gala Awards.
She was felicitated by World Taekwondo Secretary General Seo Jeong Kang at the event held recently in New Delhi.
Rupa created history by becoming the first Indian taekwondo athlete to achieve a World Rank of 6 and Asia Rank of 1. She also won the gold medal in the Recognized Individual Poomsae (Under-30) category at the 4th Senior National Taekwondo Poomsae Championships.
Congratulating the athlete, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said, “Massive congratulations to Miss Rupa Bayor for being honoured as the Best Taekwondo Poomsae Player of the Year at the 2026 India Taekwondo Gala Awards.”
He said that achieving WT World Rank 6 and Asia Rank 1 is a feat that places India among the top in the sport. He described it as a proud moment to see her felicitated by Seo Jeong Kang, Secretary General of World Taekwondo, at the Hyatt Regency, Delhi, and said Rupa is an inspiration to athletes in the region and beyond.
The award recognises Bayor’s remarkable skill, discipline and consistent performance in taekwondo’s poomsae discipline.
ALSO READ: Arunachal Pradesh mountaineer Kabak Yano conquers Aconcagua in 7-Summit quest
She had also received the Best Female Athlete award at the Indian Taekwondo Gala Awards in 2025. Her achievement underscores her dedication and places Arunachal Pradesh prominently on the national sports map.
