PANAJI
Three-time gold medallist and one of Goa's top medal prospects, P Anand, was stunned in the quarter-finals of the men's over 87 kg taekwondo category at the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand on Friday.
The loss came as a huge shock, as Anand, who has been a dominant force in Indian taekwondo, suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to his Karnataka opponent. Despite putting up a strong fight, Anand could not overcome the challenge, leaving the Goan contingent disappointed.
Anand's defeat marks a rare setback in a storied career. He is the only Goan athlete to have won three gold medals at three different editions of the National Games: in 2011 (Jharkhand), 2015 (Kerala), and most recently in 2023 (Goa). Known for his tenacity and skill, Anand's loss has been a blow not only to him personally but also to Goa's hopes of clinching another taekwondo medal in this edition of the Games.
The day was a tough one for Goa's taekwondo contingent, with two other athletes, Rajvir Yadav and Divya Manikyala, also suffering defeats in their respective bouts. Rajvir Yadav, competing in the men's category, lost 2-0 to Uttarakhand in what was another disappointing result for the Goan squad. Similarly, Divya Manikyala faced defeat in the women’s category, going down 2-0 to Maharashtra, adding to the woes of the Goan team.
With three key athletes eliminated from the competition, Goa's hopes of further medals in taekwondo now rest on Taiwa Mascarenhas. Mascarenhas is set to compete in her bout on Saturday.
