Ayush Shukla eyes Olympic dream

After claiming India’s first-ever bronze in the World Junior Taekwondo Championship, 17-year-old Ayush Shukla from Ahmedabad is now looking ahead to bigger challenges, with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the Olympics.

- MILIND DHAMDHERE

Indian athletes often face the need for more exposure to shine at global events like the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Olympics. One such aspiring athlete is Ayush Shukla, a 17-year-old taekwondo player from Maninagar, Ahmedabad.

Following his recent success at the World Junior Taekwondo Championship in Korea, where he secured a bronze medal, Ayush is determined to clear the hurdles that stand between him and his Olympic dream.

Ayush’s bronze win is a historic moment for Indian Taekwondo, marking the first time an Indian male athlete has medalled at the event. Coincidentally, Saksham Yadav became the first female from India to earn a medal at the same competition, also winning bronze. These rare achievements highlight the growing presence of Indian Taekwondo players on the global stage, a promising sign for the future of the sport. Ayush’s journey to the podium was far from easy.

He battled a hamstring injury just days before the competition began, a setback that could have derailed his performance. “I had a hamstring injury three days before the start of the championship,” Ayush shared. “With spray and ice treatment, I managed to get through the early rounds. Even in the second bout, the pain persisted, but temporary treatments and my willpower kept me going.”