Hafez Hashmath Ali Khan, Taekwondo and Karate coach who hails from Vijayawada, is on a mission to make bigger achievements in the world of Taekwondo for several years. His spirit has got a boost after the successful participation in a recent event that found a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Hashmath performed the 16 steps of Taekwondo for 65 times in 30 minutes. It was a result of rigorous training for six months, he says.

Hashmath, also an Imam who occasionally teaches in masjids in Andhra Pradesh, is one among the few persons in Hyderabad who successfully performed the feat of delivering 300 perfect punches in 180 seconds. This feat secured a place in the High Range Book of World Records.

As a profession, Hashmath teaches Taekwondo and Karate at many schools in Hyderabad and simultaneously grew stronger in the martial art under the guidance of his master Jayanth Reddy of the JR International Taekwondo Academy in Hyderabad, which is known for its Guinness records in Taekwondo.

‘Governments attention needed’

“Taekwondo is an important sport that needs the attention of the Union and the State governments. However, there is not much encouragement from the State governments even as the sport is an Olympic event since decades,” says Hashmath.

“Government should take Taekwondo seriously and focus on providing the training facility for the students who could get into Olympics and bring medals to the nation. I am confident that I can compete in Olympics and also nurture my students including national fighters to rise up to the level of Olympics,” said Mr. Hashmath, who also trained the police in Hyderabad.

Hashamth, 30, was born in Vijayawada. He moved to Nellore for education and then moved to Hyderabad where he learned Karate 12 years ago and then took up Taekwondo in 2012.Now, he is a Master Instructor as recognised by the Korean Cultural Centre India as per the World Taekwondo Federation rules.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Tharun Boda / Vijayawada – October 08th, 2017