Taekwondo’s First Nepali 9th Dan Black Belt Tulsikumar Honored with NSJF Special Award
Taekwondo expert and coach Tulsikumar Gurung, the first Nepali to earn a 9th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo, has been honored with the NSJF Special Award at the 22nd NSJF Pulsar Sports Awards, organized by the Nepal Sports Journalists Forum (NSJF).
Gurung achieved this historic milestone after being awarded the 9th Dan Black Belt by Kukkiwon, South Korea, the world headquarters of Taekwondo, making him the first Nepali to reach this elite level. Born in Pokhara, Gurung joined the British Gurkha Army at the age of 17, which took him to Hong Kong. There, he built an exceptional career both as a player and a coach, contributing significantly to the promotion of Taekwondo among the Nepali diaspora and on the international stage.
In 2001, he founded the Hong Kong Nepalese Taekwondo Association, laying the foundation for organized Taekwondo training and competitions among the Nepali community. His dedication and leadership were further recognized in 2013 when he was appointed Head Coach of the Hong Kong National Taekwondo Team, leading the team to numerous international achievements.
Driven by a strong desire to give back to his homeland, Gurung established the Fit Nepal Sports Plex in Pokhara. The facility aims to provide young athletes with professional-level training, coaching, and infrastructure, creating opportunities for the next generation of national and international champions.
Beyond his contributions to sports, Gurung is also actively engaged in social and media initiatives. He serves as the Founder President of the We Will Rise Foundation and the President of Rise Media Network, further emphasizing his commitment to youth empowerment, education, and community development in Nepal.
The award ceremony also recognized outstanding achievements across multiple sports disciplines. The Kho-Kho women’s and men’s teams were honored with the Team of the Year Award, while U-19 national cricket team captain Pooja Mahato was named Young Player of the Year. Mohammad Hasan Ullah Khan of Bangladesh received the Asian Sports Journalist Award for his exemplary work in sports reporting.
In addition, para-taekwondo athlete Palesha Govardhan received the Trailblazer Award, and cricketer Dipendra Singh Airee along with taekwondo athlete Erika Gurung were declared Best Players of the Year, highlighting their exceptional performance and contribution to Nepali sports.
Organizers of the 22nd NSJF Pulsar Sports Awards expressed confidence that honoring athletes, coaches, and sports journalists will inspire future generations, strengthen Nepal’s sports culture, and motivate young athletes to achieve excellence at national and international levels.
