Srinagar’s Young Martial Arts Prodigy Shines Again
Ahmed Taha Masoody Clinches Double Gold at National Championship
05/10/2025
Srinagar, October 04 (KIP)-In a moment of pride for Jammu and Kashmir, 13-year-old Ahmed Taha Masoody from Srinagar has once again showcased his brilliance on the national stage.
The young athlete bagged two gold medals at the 13th National Pencak Silat Championship 2025, held in Koppal, Karnataka, from September 26 to 28. Were 1500 athletes from all over India took part. He excelled in both the Tunggal and Solo events, outshining opponents from across the country.
This remarkable feat has made Taha a 14-time national champion, marking his consecutive gold-medal victories for the past six years. His name now stands tall in the history of Indian Pencak Silat.
What makes Taha’s success even more special is his consistency. At just 13 years old, he has managed to dominate national-level championships year after year, proving that age is no barrier when it comes to talent and determination.
Behind his success lies a strong foundation of dedication, discipline, and hard work. Taha has been training tirelessly, often balancing his studies with intense practice sessions, showing maturity well beyond his years.
A big share of credit goes to his mentor, Mr. Mohd. Iqbal, the Chief Coach of India. Mr. Iqbal has been guiding young athletes for more than 14 years, becoming the backbone of the Silat community in the country.
His tireless efforts have brought the sport into the limelight, ensuring its inclusion in prestigious platforms such as the Beach Games, National Games, Police Games, School Games, University Games, Khelo India Games, and now the Asian Youth Games to be held in Bahrain.
Taha’s medal tally speaks volumes about his dominance in martial arts. Over the past six years, he has collected 36 medals at District, UT, National, and International levels, of which 33 are Gold, 1 Silver, and 2 Bronze.
For a boy his age, such an outstanding record is nothing short of extraordinary. Each medal represents not just victory, but the hours of sweat, discipline, and sacrifice that Taha puts into his training routine.
Taha has made his ambitions clear — his ultimate dream is to win gold for India at the Olympic level. For this, he continues to maintain a strict schedule that includes not only advanced martial arts training but also a carefully monitored diet and fitness program.
His story is not just about medals; it is about inspiration. He has become a role model for countless young athletes in Jammu and Kashmir and across India, proving that with focus and determination, even the loftiest goals can be achieved.
As India prepares to make its mark in global sports, names like Ahmed Taha Masoody remind the nation that the future of Indian athletics is in safe hands — strong, disciplined, and hungry for glory.