While Taleigao may have been a place notorious for a fewrough and tumble ‘elements’ in the past, today it serves as an ‘upmarket’ venuein terms of real estate. Yet, members of its general population still honetheir skill at martial arts. No longer because it is the need of the hour, butrather to excel in the field of sports. One such story is that of youngJudo-ka, Arjun Kadam.
The 19-year-old reflects on his six year old foray into themartial art and says, "I am thrilled to have come as far as I have,winning the odd medal along the way.”In his short career, Kadam has become aregular starter in the Goa State Judo Team. He has represented Goa a sum totalof four times at the national level, and has won gold at the state level aswell as the Sports Authority of India games twice. “I am still hungry to winmore, but I believe that it will come in time, and with patience,” he says.
Kadam, the only son of his family, with three youngersisters that look up to him, says, “I believe I owe them a lot of thanks andgratitude, as they have been immensely supportive, and it is because of themthat I have been able to excel.”
The young lad’s journey through the sport is not one ofincredible success, yet one of determination, as he had several financialconstraints in his path, but overcame them under the tutelage of his coach, MirDias, who touts him to be a brilliant prospect for the future. “He hasincredible potential to be a huge name in the sport, and is one of my starperformers,” says Dias.
Looking at his recent journey to the national levelcompetition as a stepping stone to his future, Kadam says, “It is justbrilliant to have taken on the best players in the country. I may not have wonanything significant, but just being there was a reward in itself.”
