Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh University student Aruna Tanwar clinches Gold in Asian Para-Taekwondo Championships in China
Chandigarh University’s Aruna Tanwar clinches Gold in Asian Para-Taekwondo Championships in China, secures spot for Paris 2024 Paralympics
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, March 20, 2024: Paralympian and Chandigarh University (CU) student Aruna Tanwar added another feather to her cap by securing a Gold Medal in the recently concluded Asian Para-Taekwondo Qualifiers Championship in Tai'an, China, which were held from March 15 to March 17, 2024. With this feat, Aruna has qualified for the Paris 2024 Paralympics Games, marking her participation in her second world Paralympics event.
Currently ranked world number 4, Aruna Tanwar bagged a gold medal in women’s 47kg weight category during the Asian Paralympics tournament, securing a much-coveted pass to represent India for the second time at Paralympic Games to be held in Paris.
A farmer’s daughter from a small village in Haryana, Aruna Singh Tanwar has consistently demonstrated exceptional skills in Taekwondo, leaving a mark with her impeccable game sense and powerful performances.
She had her life-changing moment when she qualified for Tokyo Paralympics 2020 as the first-ever Para Taekwondo player from India.
Prior to this, Aruna won Bronze Medals at the 5th Asian Para Open Taekwondo Championship and 8th World Para Taekwondo Championships in 2019, respectively.
In 2018, Aruna bagged a Gold at Kimunyong International Para Taekwondo Open. Additionally, she secured Silver Medals in the 4th Asian Para Taekwondo Championships and the 3rd WT President’s Cup Asian Region Para Taekwondo Championships held in the same year.
Continuing her impressive streak, Aruna – one February 16, 2023 – won another Silver Medal in the Egypt Para Taekwondo Championship held in Cairo, Egypt.
Notably, Aruna Tanwar clinched a bronze medal in the women’s K44 47 kg event in Taekwondo in the Asian Games 2023, contributing to India’s highest ever medal haul of 107 in an international sporting event.
Rajya Sabha MP and Chandigarh University Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu said, “It is a matter of pride that Chandigarh University’s Aruna Tanwar has bagged a Gold Medal in Asian Para Taekwondo Championship held in China and will now represent India at a global level. With this achievement she had not just added brought laurels to the country but also brought glory to Chandigarh University. She has earlier brought glory to the university by becoming India’s First Taekwondo Paralympian and five times National Champion. She is a role model for many, especially girls who are not given equal opportunity in comparison to boys in India by their parents to showcase their inner talent and get empowered.”
He further added that Chandigarh University has always emphasized on sports, extended support in making students capable of showcasing their talents at national and international levels.
“With focus on encouraging the budding sports talent, Chandigarh University has reserved a budget of INR 6.5 Crores this year to ensure sports development on the campus. The University provides state-of-the-art sports facilities for students to practice under well-experienced trainers and coaches. Moreover, CU provides financial support to the sportspersons through monthly scholarships, including Major Dhyan Chand Scholarship worth INR 3.84 Crores. At present, 407 sports students are studying at CU with a 100% scholarship,” he said.
He also shared that Aruna Tanwar is a recipient of sports scholarship from Chandigarh University, which takes care of her academic fees, hostel fees, coaching facility, and special diet.
Notably, Chandigarh University students have been performing impeccably in various state, national, and international tournaments in the field of sports. So far, the university has won more than 342 medals in various state, national, and international sports events.