INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
A 15-year-old boy, along with his family, like lakhs of other Kashmiri Pandits, was left homeless in 1990 after being driven out of the
Kashmir Valley by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists.The boy, who had big dreams before the unfortunate displacement of his family, was staring
at an uncertain and a dark future in 1990
However, little did he know that getting enrolled at a local Taekwondo and Wushu training centre near Raghunath temple in Jammu city was
going to change his life forever and make him a national sporting icon.This is the story of the eleven-time national Wushu champion, who
Under his tutelage, Indian Wushu players have shone on the international horizon and won three gold medals at the World Wushu Championship
and one gold at the World Cup.PM Narendra Modi with coaches after the 2018 Asian Games.The sports fraternity and even common people in J-K
are on cloud nine these days as Handoo, the proud son of the soil, has been recently honoured with the prestigious Dronacharya Award for the
The 45-year-old Srinagar-born became the first Dronacharya awardee from J-K.President Ramnath Kovind presenting the Dronacharya Award 2020
to national Wushu coach Kuldeep Handoo in a virtual award ceremony on August 29.The award was presented to him by President Ramnath Kovind
in a virtual ceremony organised on August 29
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the ceremony could not be held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, and was therefore organised virtually.Speaking to
India Today, Handoo said that his life has been turbulent, but he has always remained focussed and steadfast in achieving his goal
had a three-storey house in Rainawari locality of Srinagar, but after our displacement from the Kashmir Valley, my entire family had to live
in a single-room rented accommodation in Jammu's Jullaka Mohalla locality
My father was working as a clerk in State Road Transport Corporation at that time and my family was facing financial problems
Terrorism snatched everything from us
I wanted to pursue studies in engineering or medicine, but due to the financial crisis, I had to give up my aim
I instead graduated in commerce," Handoo said.Kuldeep Handoo (left) with Bronze medallist Roshibina Devi at the 2018 Asian Games, which were
held in Jakarta, Indonesia."Incidentally, one day my friend Ashok Zutshi told me that Taekwondo, Wushu training was being given for free by
Vishal Sharma sir at Raghunath temple complex in Jammu city
residence.He said that his parents supported him a lot and never opposed his participation in sports
Later, upon the advice of his guru, Vishal Sharma, he decided to focus on Wushu.2019 World Championship at Shanghai in China
Kuldeep Handoo is posing with Gold medallists Praveen Kumar and Poonam Khatri, silver medallist Y Sanathoi Devi and Bronze medallist Vikrant
Baliyan.Recalling the contributions of his guru Vishal Sharma, the 45-year-old Dronacharya awardee said that without his guidance, training
encouraged me a lot and loved me like his own son
We are still in touch and meet quite often
I continue to get blessings from him
Handoo at 14th World Wushu Championship which was held at Kazan in Russia in 2017
In the above photo, Handoo is posing with gold medallist Pooja Kadian and his assistant coach Rajesh Kumar.A national champion for 11 years
on the bounce!Kuldeep Handoo, as a Wushu player, has represented J-K at national sports events and was the national champion for 11 years on
He won gold medals at the National Wushu Championship from 1995 to 2005
He also clinched a gold medal in 2007 National Games.The Srinagar-born sporting icon has also represented India at many international Wushu
events and championships where he won several medals.He also won gold medals at the South Asian Wushu Championship in 2000 and 2003
turning point of my career was when I won the gold medal at the National Wushu Championship which was held in Mizoram in 1995
became the coach of the junior national Wushu team and later in 2010, national chief coach of Wushu team
Under his guidance, the country has had a dream run in Wushu and so far India has won three gold medals in world championships and one gold
During his stint as the national coach, India has also bagged 27 silver and 57 bronze medals in different competitions including Asian
Handoo is also an inspector in the J-K Police
thank all my seniors and colleagues in the J-K Police
They have always supported and encouraged me
Handoo on being honoured with the prestigious Dronacharya Award
In a statement released by the J-K Police last month, Singh had said that Handoo had achieved yet another remarkable milestone and it will
inspire upcoming sportspersons in J-K
Extending good wishes to the Dronacharya awardee, the DGP said that Handoo has brought laurels to the J-K Police and J-K
He also wished him luck for his future assignments.Handoo's family is immensely proud of him and his achievements
Speaking to India Today, his parents said that their son has been always focussed and hardworking, and they have always supported him in
He has been very hardworking since childhood
Our joy knew no bounds when we first heard that he was going to receive the Dronacharya Award
During his training days, he used to return from practice and training sessions at midnight
We lost everything in Kashmir due to terrorism
I had no money to give to my son
Whatever he has achieved today, it is because of his own hard work
Most of the time, he has to stay away from the family due to sporting events
They have an eight-year-old son, Bhavkul.Kuldeep Handoo with his wife Bhavneet and son Bhavkul.So how did the love blossom between Kuldeep
and Bhavneet?Speaking to India Today, Kuldeep said that they first became friends and later fell in love with each other
Since both of us were Wushu players, we used to meet often
Soon, we became good friends
After one year, we realised we were in love
That day came when I decided to propose to her
In a filmy style, I bought some fresh red roses and decided to propose to her
We met near her house, I gave her the roses, confessed my love for her and asked her if she would marry me
In fact, they happily agreed to our marriage
My wife has learnt all Kashmiri Pandit customs and rituals
She cooks mouth-watering Kashmiri dishes
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