Rupa Bayor: The First Indian Taekwondo Athlete to Break into the Top 10 World Poomsae Rankings The Philox
Rupa Bayor: The First Indian Taekwondo Athlete to Break into the Top 10 World Poomsae Rankings
Rupa Bayor, a Taekwondo athlete from Arunachal Pradesh, has made history by becoming the first Indian to break into the top 10 of the World Poomsae Rankings. Currently ranked 9th globally, Rupa’s journey from humble beginnings to international recognition is a story of resilience, determination, and talent. Despite her groundbreaking achievements, her story has largely been overlooked by mainstream media in India, which continues to focus predominantly on cricket, leaving accomplishments like Rupa’s underappreciated.
Early Life and Struggles
Rupa Bayor’s life has been anything but easy. Born in the village of Sippi in the Daporijo circle of Upper Subansiri district in Arunachal Pradesh, Rupa faced several challenges from a young age. Her father passed away when she was just a toddler, leaving her mother, Yami Bayor, to care for four children. Life in a small village with limited resources meant that Rupa had to grow up quickly. She helped her mother in the paddy fields to make ends meet.
The loss of her father left a lasting impact on Rupa. She recalls the day vividly, even though she was too young to fully understand what was happening. “I don’t have any memories of my father, although I remember his face clearly. I was just a toddler when he died. His body was lying on the floor, covered by a sheet, and I believed he was sleeping,” she shared in an interview.
Her mother, an orphan herself, was married off young and struggled to provide for her family after the loss of her husband. But despite these hardships, Rupa’s fighting spirit never wavered.
Finding Hope Through Martial Arts
Rupa’s journey into martial arts began when her maternal uncle, a karate master, noticed her aggressive nature and suggested that she channel her energy into something productive. Although she initially trained in karate, Rupa eventually found her passion in Taekwondo. She felt that Taekwondo offered her more opportunities to grow as an athlete, and she never looked back.
In 2015, Rupa started practicing Taekwondo. At first, it was just a way to pass the time, but things took a serious turn in 2021 when she started training at the Indo-Korean Taekwondo Academy in Mumbai. Her coach, Abhishek Dubey, introduced her to the life of an elite athlete, and under his guidance, Rupa began honing her skills and competing internationally.
Rupa’s Ascent in the Global Rankings
Rupa’s rise in the world of Taekwondo has been nothing short of extraordinary. In 2021, she was ranked 123rd in the World Poomsae Rankings. However, her relentless hard work and dedication saw her improve significantly in just a short span of time. By 2022, Rupa had climbed to the 42nd spot in the rankings, and in 2023, she reached the 12th position.
Her breakthrough came in 2024 when Rupa Bayor made history by breaking into the top 10 of the World Poomsae Rankings. Currently ranked 9th globally, she is the first Indian Taekwondo athlete to achieve this feat in any format of the sport. Additionally, Rupa holds the No. 1 spot in Asia, solidifying her position as one of the continent’s top athletes in Taekwondo.
Achievements on the International Stage
Rupa Bayor’s achievements extend beyond her remarkable ranking. In April 2024, she won a bronze medal at the 8th Asian Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Danang, Vietnam. This medal was not just a personal victory but a testament to her resilience, especially considering the hardships she had faced in the past year.
One of the most significant challenges came when Rupa was forced to skip the Asian Games due to the denial of a visa by China. This setback could have derailed her career, but Rupa, true to her fighting spirit, continued to persevere and achieved success despite this disappointment. “Not just me, every sportsperson from Arunachal faces this. I really hope that the Indian government can ensure that this issue is resolved for good because it was a major loss for me,” Rupa said.
The Path Ahead
Looking ahead, Rupa remains optimistic about her future. She hopes to compete in the next Asian Games, which will be held in Japan, and dreams of bringing home more medals for India. However, the reality of Taekwondo as a non-Olympic sport means that her chances of competing on the Olympic stage are slim. “I can’t change to combative Taekwondo now; it is very difficult. So I would stick to what I have mastered and do the best in that. I don’t want to just show up, I want to win medals,” she asserted.
Rupa also draws inspiration from other athletes, particularly MC Mary Kom, the six-time world champion boxer from Manipur. “The fact that she is from our region adds to the pride. She is a hero, to win medals even after having the responsibility of being a mother, it is phenomenal. I want to meet her someday,” Rupa shared.
Lack of Recognition from Indian Media
Despite her incredible achievements, Rupa Bayor’s story has not received the attention it deserves. The Indian media remains overwhelmingly focused on cricket, often sidelining other sports and their athletes. Rupa’s historic entry into the top 10 of the World Poomsae Rankings is a monumental achievement, but it has gone largely unnoticed by the mainstream media.
This lack of recognition is not unique to Rupa. Many Indian athletes in lesser-known sports struggle to get the visibility they deserve, even when they achieve great things on the international stage. While cricket dominates headlines and sports coverage, athletes like Rupa are left to celebrate their accomplishments in the shadows.
This oversight not only deprives athletes of the recognition they deserve but also hinders the growth of sports like Taekwondo in India. If more attention were given to these sports, it could inspire the next generation of athletes to pursue their dreams and bring home even more international accolades for the country.
Rupa’s Legacy and Inspiration
Rupa Bayor’s story is one of triumph over adversity. From the paddy fields of Arunachal Pradesh to the global stage of Taekwondo, she has shown that no obstacle is too great to overcome with determination and perseverance. Her groundbreaking achievement as the first Indian to break into the top 10 of the World Poomsae Rankings is a source of immense pride for India and Arunachal Pradesh.
Rupa’s journey is far from over, and she continues to inspire young athletes across the country to pursue excellence in Taekwondo. Her resilience, hard work, and unyielding spirit serve as a reminder that success is not determined by where you come from but by how hard you are willing to fight for your dreams.
Her achievements highlight the talent and potential that exists in India’s Northeastern region, and with more support and recognition, athletes like Rupa can continue to shine on the global stage. It is time for India to take notice and celebrate the success of all its athletes, not just those in cricket.
