Srinagar, April 10: This time it’s not Asian Games or Asian Championship but Official Olympic Games, Atul Pangotra has created history after being selected, based on his performance, as an international referee at various Olympic ranking championships by the World Taekwondo (WT) for the first phase of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (TOG) and Paralympics international referee selection and training camp, which is to be held at Wuxi, China and Moscow, Russia respectively.
He is the only referee official from India who has been selected in both Olympic and Paralympics IR camps. During the final phase of selection camp of team India for upcoming Senior World Taekwondo Championships, which is scheduled to be held at Manchester Regional Arena, Ethhad Campus, Manchester, from 15th May, 2019, Atul Pangotra again made his name in the list of head coaches, who will be assisting Indian Taekwondo team during World Championship.
Recipient of Sher-I-Kashmir and state award, having 10 senior National winning records to his name, Atul Pangotra is the only player of Jammu And Kashmir State who secured silver and bronze medal in commonwealth Taekwondo Championship respectively. He has participated in many international Olympic ranking championships and brought laurels to the country and state.
Last year Atul Pangotra represented Indian Taekwondo team in the 18th Asian Games at Jakarta, Indonesia as team coach. He is second from the country who has participated as a referee official in World Taekwondo Grand Prix Series at Manchester, 2018.
While speaking to media Pangotra said: “I have been dreaming for this day, I devoted my entire life in promoting this Olympic sport in and outside state. The path was not easy for me without the support of my parents, worthy Masters and the association members of J&K Taekwondo Association. It made my day when I heard that I have been selected for Paralympics too.”
Atul Pangotra is working as Physical education teacher in the department of youth services and sports (YSS) and is also the youngest referee chairman of Taekwondo Federation of India (TFI).
J&K Taekwondo Association congratulates Master Pangotra on making history by getting selected for both the Olympic and ParalympicsIR camp and as well as for Senior World Taekwondo Championships.
Jagjit Singh who is the Secretary General Of J&K Taekwondo Association also Congratulated Atul Pangotra for this big achievement and he also requested Governor for providing him financial support for the said events.
