India’s young Taekwondo contingent delivered a historic double delight at the 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025 in Bahrain, claiming two bronze medals in the Recognised Poomsae events.
The first came from Debasish Das in the Boys’ Individual Recognised Poomsae, followed shortly by Yashwini Singh and Shivanshu Patel, who clinched another bronze in the Mixed Pair Recognised Poomsae category. These medals mark India’s first-ever podium finishes in Taekwondo at the Asian Youth Games a breakthrough moment for the sport’s next generation and a reflection of the growing Taekwondo ecosystem across the country.
In one of the most technically refined performances of the day, Debasish Das showcased precision, control, and composure to claim India’s maiden Taekwondo medal at the Asian Youth Games. Competing in the Boys’ Recognised Poomsae category, the 17-year-old defeated Osman of Bangladesh (8.07–7.49) in the Round of 16 before edging past Amgalan of Mongolia (8.22–8.00) in the quarterfinals.
In the semifinals, Das faced a formidable challenge in China’s Gao, one of Asia’s top junior exponents. Despite a spirited effort and one of his cleanest technical routines, the Indian narrowly lost 8.51–8.54, settling for a well-earned bronze medal. The result made Das the first Indian ever to win a Taekwondo medal at any edition of the Asian Youth Games a feat that instantly elevated his name among the country’s most promising martial arts athletes.
His journey from a grassroots academy in Assam to the continental podium epitomizes the transformation of Indian Taekwondo from a niche sport to a serious medal contender in multi-nation competitions.
Yashwini Singh and Shivanshu Patel Add Second Bronze in Mixed Pair Poomsae
India’s celebration didn’t stop there. In the Mixed Pair Recognised Poomsae event, the duo of Yashwini Singh and Shivanshu Patel produced an exceptional performance to bring home another bronze medal India’s second in Taekwondo and sixth overall at the Games.
After receiving a bye in the Round of 16, the pair opened their campaign with a confident display, defeating Vietnam’s Tran Mai / Truong Doan (8.01–7.79) in the quarterfinal.
Their coordination, synchronization, and execution stood out, with judges praising the pair’s fluid transitions and steady stances. In the semifinals, however, the Indian pair came up against the higher-seeded Thailand duo of Injang / Yimprasert. Despite an impressive effort, they fell short 8.12–8.56, earning a well-deserved bronze medal.
This result underlines the technical strides India has made in Poomsae a discipline that demands not combat strength, but mastery of forms, balance, and precision of technique. For Yashwini, this medal represents a landmark achievement in her young career. Having trained at the National Centre of Excellence in Lucknow, she’s part of the new generation of Indian Taekwondo athletes emerging from systematic, federation-backed development programs.
Her partner, Shivanshu, a student of the Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) Bhopal centre, is known for his consistency and calm execution qualities that perfectly complement Yashwini’s explosive yet controlled energy.
With these two medals, India has now officially announced its arrival in the Asian Taekwondo circuit. Historically, Indian athletes have found it difficult to break into the medal brackets in Poomsae an area traditionally dominated by East Asian powerhouses like Korea, China, and Thailand. The recognised Poomsae discipline, however, is gaining rapid traction in India, particularly at the junior and youth levels. National-level competitions over the past two years have witnessed increased participation, especially from states like Haryana, Manipur, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh.
The Taekwondo Federation of India (TFI), in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India, has launched specialized Poomsae coaching camps and athlete exchanges to enhance performance quality. Coaches have emphasized biomechanics, balance training, and artistic presentation areas that have significantly improved India’s scoring in international panels.
The success of Debasish, Yashwini, and Shivanshu is therefore not an isolated incident, but rather the outcome of a growing ecosystem, blending structured grassroots training with exposure to global standards.
India’s Medal Momentum at the Asian Youth Games
Following the two bronze medals from Taekwondo, India’s overall tally at the 2025 Asian Youth Games now stands at 6 medals (2 silver, 4 bronze) a strong statement of depth across multiple disciplines, from athletics to martial arts. The medals from Bahrain carry additional importance, as they reflect India’s expansion into non-traditional Olympic sports. Just a decade ago, Taekwondo had little representation beyond domestic events; today, Indian athletes are competing and winning against Asia’s elite.
For Debasish Das, the next stop could be the World Youth Championships later in 2026, where he will likely represent India again. His technical consistency and mental composure make him a key prospect for future Asian and Commonwealth events. Meanwhile, the pair of Yashwini and Shivanshu are expected to continue training together in preparation for the Asian Junior Championships next year. Their chemistry and performance in Bahrain proved that India has the foundation to challenge stronger nations if training opportunities and exposure continue to improve.
As the Indian contingent wrapped up another successful day in Bahrain, the national flag rose twice on the Taekwondo podium signaling not just medals, but the beginning of a new era for Indian martial arts on the Asian stage.
