In Louisville, Kentucky, the Himalayan Taekwondo—founded by Nepali athlete Kalpana Tiwari—has marked a significant milestone as its first batch of students successfully completed the Deputy Black Belt Course.
A special graduation ceremony was held on Sunday in Louisville, where certificates were distributed to the newly promoted deputy black belt students. The event drew an enthusiastic crowd of parents, instructors, and community members who gathered to celebrate the young athletes’ dedication and hard work.
The program began with a belt test (grading session), where students from various belt levels showcased their skills in taekwondo forms, sparring, and self-defense techniques. The audience applauded as the students displayed remarkable discipline, balance, and confidence throughout the demonstration.
Mr. Tika Adhikari, Director of Freedom Adult Day Care, served as the chief guest and presented certificates to the graduates. In his remarks, he said.
“It is a moment of pride for our community to see young students showing such discipline and confidence through sports. Taekwondo strengthens not just the body, but also the mind and character.”
Also present at the ceremony were Master Nakul Sharma, founder of Himalayan Taekwondo Harrisburg, and several taekwondo instructors from different states. They commended the dedication of the students and praised Ms. Tiwari’s leadership in nurturing the next generation of martial artists.
Community leaders, including Mrs. Jamuna Kharel Paudel, Vice President of the Bhutanese Society of Kentucky, and Mrs. Chandrakala Bhujel, head of a Nepali community-run dance school in Louisville, also attended the event. They emphasized the importance of sports in fostering unity, leadership, and discipline among youth.
Founder Kalpana Tiwari expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported the academy, saying,
“Himalayan Taekwondo was my dream—a place where children could learn not just martial arts but also the values of respect, confidence, and perseverance. Today’s success marks the first page of that dream.”
The event concluded with a group performance by the students, followed by the presentation of appreciation letters and tokens of love to guests and instructors. The ceremony was both emotional and inspiring, symbolizing the growing strength and unity of the Nepali community in Kentucky through sports and education.
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