EMN
Kohima, Sept 25
Drawing an inspiration from Korean Taekwondo coach Master Lee, when he was barely two year-old upcoming taekwondo lad Kevinguzo Keretsii is expected to spring many surprise in the game of Taekwondo now and in future.Master Lee, an acclaimed Taekwondo coach from South Korea was in Kohima in 2006 to train Taekwondo players, which eventually led Nagaland to win its 1st gold medal and a bronze medal in 33rd National Games at Guwahati in 2007.
At eight years Kevinguzo Keretsii had achieved his first glory to the victory-stand during the recent 31st National Sub-junior Taekwondo championships held at Pune, where he won a bronze medal in the fin weight (Under-21) in sub-junior category. He was part of the state team, under the aegis of Nagaland Taekwondo Association (NTA) which won 2 Gold Medals and 3 Bronze medals.
Kevinguzo Keretsii hailing from D. Khel, Kohima Village is perhaps one of the first sub-junior players from the village to win a medal at a tender –age in national level championships.
His success can be well attributed to his parents – Theja Keretsii and Kezaleii Keretsii, who were both players of repute in their own field of games and sports. Theja Keretsii, now a taekwondo coach and holder of 4th DAN Black Belt had won a Bronze medal in 2nd International Ambassador Cup in 1994 held at Seoul, South Korea, representing India and later he also played at various national level championship for many years.
Kevinuguzo’s mother Kezaleii Keretsii also holds record of Nagaland state table tennis women tournament winning 14 times, triple crown in north east and winner in NEHU meet. She also played for the state in many national TT championships.
A student of Class -III of North Field School Kohima, Kevinguzo Keretsii, who had the distinction of winning medals at the state level championships in the year 2010, 2011, 2012 (all silver medal) and a gold medal in Fin (Under-21) in sub-juniors category in 2013 is definitely on the count for more medals as he progress ahead for a bright sporting future career.
At the recent national level championship, where he made his debut at the national tournament, Kevinguzo in the first round completely demolished his Bihar opponent. In the quarter-finals, he sent his taller Maharashtra opponent crushing to storm into the semi-final, where he lost to Kerala lad and settled for bronze medal.
