Ariful Islam/Rangia

At five, most children snuggle in their mothers’ laps, but Omar Faruk of village Bilpar Narikuchi of the Nalbari district of Western Assam has won medals in Taekwondo. His achievement is extraordinary given that he has overcome his physical limits – Faruk was born with a physical deformity – to become the second youngest black belt in Assam to bring glory to his family and community.

Omar Faruk has recently shone on the national and international arena by winning gold and silver medals in taekwondo, a sport that requires muscle strtrength.

Omar Faruk was born with both legs 90 per cent bent. His parents and villagers thought he would never be able to walk. But today, he not only walks and runs, but also kicks like a professional.

Omar Faruk flashes victory sign at a tournament

Today, when he picks up his taekwondo mat, he appears like any normal child. With the support of his parents, he has reached a point where he is a medal hopeful at the state, national and international levels.

In an exclusive interview with Awaz-The Voice, Omar Faruk's father, Julu Ali, said, "Omar was born in 2020 with both his legs 90 per cent bent. Initially, we were quite distressed and thought that he would never be able to walk.

However, Ali and his wife decided to start his treatment. “First, we got him treated at Guwahati, and then in a hospital in Nalbari, where Omar's limbs were operated upon. After the surgery, both legs were locked in plaster for a long time. He also had to wear special shoes for a long time. Even after removing those supports, strength did not return to Omar's limbs. Advised by the doctor, we enrolled him in taekwondo training at the age of 2 years and 7 months."

Omar Faruk with other Indian team mates at an international event

Omar Faruk, a UKG student at the Rangia Al-Hidayah International Public School, was born into an economically backward family. His parents have been struggling to provide for the surgery and treatment of their son.

Julu Ali takes his son to the Rangia Taekwondo Coaching Centre, at Rangia in Kamrup district of central Assam, without missing a day.

Riding a motorbike or driving a car is out of the question along the gravel road from their home to the national highway during the rainy season. Even cycling is difficult on that road.

During the rainy season, Julu Ali often carries Omar on his shoulders to the national highway, boards a public transport, and takes him to the coaching centre.

Proprietor and chief coach of Rangia Taekwondo Coaching Centre, Sujal Guha said, "When his father brought him to me at the age of two and a half, his legs had rods inside; he couldn't even walk properly. The parents had struggled hard for Omar. After his surgery, the doctor had advised enrolling him in a good sport. That's when his father brought him to me. First, I made him do exercise drills for many days”

Omar Farukh showing his medals to the mediapersons at ventue of a tournament

He said that after many days of running and physical exercises, he started teaching him the basics of taekwondo.” Gradually, with training, he can now play very well. Omar pays proper attention to every task. He is quite interested and dedicated. Lately, he has become capable of winning gold and silver medals at the state and national levels, and at the international level too."

"Today, if people see Omar, they can't even imagine that the child was born with both legs 90 per cent bent. He has been at my coaching centre for 2.5 years. Within this period, he has achieved a black belt”.

Sujal Guha says he regrets not having helped Omar Faruk achieve the black belt two months earlier. That would have enabled his name to figure in the Guinness Book of World Records for the youngest black belt.

Today, Omar is the second youngest black belt in Assam. Guhu says that Farukh has the potential to become a grand master by 18-19 years of age. “I guess he can go to the Olympic level, and for that, we will keep grooming him".

Omar Faruk will go to Delhi in July to participate in the nationals. The coach said he will also participate in the Junior Taekwondo Olympics to be held in South Korea this year.

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Resident Mohammad Rezek Ali said, "I visit their home frequently. I have a good relationship with the family.  Seeing Omar at birth, I never imagined that he could even walk one day. Yet today, he is playing international-level sports and is winning medals. Actually, his parents have struggled hard with him. We villagers, are very happy and wish Omar further success in the future."