Onika Maheshwari/ New Delhi

Shahnaz Parveen is the first girl from Ladakh to raise the Indian flag on the international stage in taekwondo. Her story is not just about athletic success—it is a story of struggle against social restrictions, of taunts faced by a girl stepping out of her home, and of an unshakable belief that has placed her among the country’s most remarkable athletes.

Recently, in the All India University Taekwondo Championship held in Balasore, Odisha, Shahnaz clinched the gold medal.

Her victory not only brought pride to her university but also proved that girls from Ladakh are second to none. Coaches and sports officials praised her strategic acumen, especially her composure under pressure, which sets her apart.

Shahnaz was born in Sankoo, a small village in Kargil. Raised in a modest family, she grew up in an environment where sports already had a presence. 

One of her brothers is a football player.

As a child, Shahnaz showed interest in various sports, but her introduction to taekwondo came during a school workshop. Watching girls her age deliver powerful kicks left a deep impression on her and she decided to follow the same path.

After her recent win, Shahnaz shared her emotions on social media, describing the gold medal as a special Eid gift from Allah. She credited her success to her coach and family, acknowledging that without their support, she might not have been able to overcome the challenges she faced. Her journey has not been easy.

When she chose martial arts as a career, she faced strong opposition from sections of society. Coming from a conservative background, she had to endure criticism, with some even telling her family that they were spoiling the social environment.

Shahnaz remained resolute, focusing on her training rather than the negativity around her.

In her early days, she also played badminton, but soon realized that her true calling lay in taekwondo. She received her initial training from local coach Mohammad Ali and later moved to Jammu to further hone her skills under coach Atul Pangotra.

Under his guidance, her game improved significantly. She went on to win numerous medals at district and state-level competitions. A major turning point in her career came in 2023 when she won a gold medal at the National University Games, becoming the first woman from Ladakh to achieve this feat—a historic moment for the region.

Her recent victory in Balasore is yet another testament to her hard work.

Today, Shahnaz is a beacon of hope for girls who suppress their dreams due to societal constraints. She has shown that sports are not just about physical fitness—they are a powerful means of building confidence and identity.

Currently, she is pursuing her studies at Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak.

In August 2023, she was selected for the FISU World University Games held in Chengdu, China, becoming the first woman from Ladakh to represent at this global platform.

She reached the quarterfinals, and although she missed a medal, she gained invaluable experience competing against the world’s best. Wearing the Indian jersey was her proudest moment.

She further brought laurels to the country at the 2024 Asian Taekwondo Championship in Vietnam, where she once again reached the quarterfinals.

On the domestic front, she continued her dominance, winning gold at the Federation Cup in Nashik in 2025. In recognition of her achievements, the Ladakh administration honoured her along with fellow athlete Sonam Chosfal.

That same year, she qualified for the World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr but had to exit in the Round of 32 due to injury. Undeterred, she continued her journey and is also a Lakshya Scholar. She proved her excellence by winning three gold medals at the Ladakh State Championship.

Shahnaz’s story teaches us that talent is not dependent on big cities or modern facilities. With determination, one can rise from the narrow lanes of Kargil to shine on the world stage. Her achievements send a powerful message to parents who underestimate their daughters.

Today, Shahnaz has become an icon, and the nation has great expectations from her in the years ahead. Her journey will continue to energize future generations, and her name is already etched in golden letters in the future of Indian taekwondo. This daughter of Kargil is far from stopping—she is ready to scale even greater heights.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by SHANAZ PARVEEN (@shanazptkd19)