Can you imagine what it would be like to teach other kids your favourite skill?
Samyuktha Narayanan from India has recently started doing this, and she LOVES it! ❤️
At just 7 years and 270 days old, Samyuktha became the youngest Taekwondo instructor in the world!
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that involves kicking, punching and blocking your opponent’s moves.
Have you ever tried martial arts? 🥋
Samyuktha started Taekwondo when she was just 3 years old! 😮
And it seems her passion for the sport (and record-breaking) runs in the family…
Her mum and dad, Shruthy and Narayanan, run Madurai Taekwondo Academy, and both hold GWR titles, including the most marble slabs broken with a single kick (7, by Narayanan). 🦵
She told GWR: “My father and mother are my biggest inspirations.
“I used to admire the Guinness World Records certificates achieved by my dad and mum hanging on the walls in our home.
“It was my goal to achieve a GWR title and hang my certificate on the same wall.
“After I achieved my GWR title, I received appreciations from my friends, family and teachers. My photos and videos were published in the newspaper and [shown on] television,” Samyuktha added. “I felt like a star in my city.” 🌟
Narayanan has trained his daughter since day 1.
Samyuktha remembers going to the dojo with him and watching in awe as the older students practised their kicks. 🤩
One day, eager to try this for herself, Samyuktha asked her dad to hold the target pad for her, and the rest… is history!
Within just 5 years, the young star worked her way up the grading system, progressing from her white belt to her black belt! 🥋
To achieve her black belt, Samyuktha had to…
- Run 5 km (3.1 mi) 🏃
- Complete lots of workouts ✅
- Learn all the Taekwondo syllabus. 🧠
Despite being the youngest student in the cohort, Samyuktha proved she was worthy. 👏
Samyuktha’s black belt was issued by the World Taekwondo Headquarters in Korea. She is going to visit the grandmasters there later this year to show them her official GWR certificate.
How cool is that! 😊
To celebrate her achievement, Samyuktha indulged in her favourite food… WAFFLES! 🧇
She said: “After receiving my black belt, I asked my dad to take me and my close friends to my favorite waffle shop in Madurai and we had a great treat there.”
Hands up if you love waffles! 🙋
Even now she has achieved this goal, Samyuktha still trains for 2 hours every day. ⏱️
Consistency is the key to success!
But how does Samyuktha find time for all her responsibilities? ⁉️
“I wake up early in the morning and start my training with the other students.
“I do my homework as soon as I come home [from school]. Then I take some rest and go to the dojo for coaching along with my dad in the evening.”
“I feel proud of myself standing as an instructor before kids of my age,” she added. “Sometimes I also learn from them.”
Aside from Taekwondo, Samyuktha enjoys dancing and trekking with her family. 💃 🚶♀️
So, what’s next for the young instructor?
Following in her parents’ footsteps, Samyuktha wants to achieve more GWR titles and win Taekwondo championships. 🏅
She also wants to win an Olympic medal for India and become a police officer. 👮♀️
We believe in you, Samyuktha!
If you’re interested in trying Taekwondo, here’s Samyuktha’s advice: “Taekwondo is a good sport for health and fitness. 💪
“In my experience, I tell other kids that doing workouts with friends in the dojo is more fun than playing games [on our] mobiles.” 📱
Congratulations, Samyuktha, you are Officially Amazing! 🎉
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