Samyuktha Narayanan, a seven-year-old from India, has made history by becoming the youngest Taekwondo instructor in the world. At just 7 years and 270 days old, Samyuktha achieved this remarkable milestone, showcasing her passion and dedication to the Korean martial art known for its focus on kicking, punching, and defensive blocking techniques.
Her journey into Taekwondo began when she was only three years old. The young prodigy grew up in a family deeply connected to the sport. Her parents, Shruthy and Narayanan, run the Madurai Taekwondo Academy and hold Guinness World Records (GWR) themselves. Narayanan, for instance, holds the record for breaking seven marble slabs with a single kick.
Samyuktha shared with GWR, “My father and mother are my biggest inspirations. I used to admire the Guinness World Records certificates achieved by my dad and mum hanging on the walls in our home. It was my goal to achieve a GWR title and hang my certificate on the same wall.”
Her dream came true when she achieved her own GWR title. She expressed her joy, saying, “After I achieved my GWR title, I received appreciations from my friends, family and teachers. My photos and videos were published in the newspaper and [shown on] television. I felt like a star in my city.”
Her father, Narayanan, has been her coach from the very beginning. Samyuktha fondly recalls watching older students practice at the dojo and being fascinated by their skills. Eventually, she asked her father to let her try, setting her on the path to success.
Within just five years, Samyuktha progressed through Taekwondo’s grading system, advancing from a white belt to earning her black belt. Achieving this milestone required significant effort and commitment.
To qualify for her black belt, Samyuktha had to:
- Run 5 kilometers (3.1 miles),
- Complete various workouts, and
- Master the entire Taekwondo syllabus.
Despite being the youngest in her training group, she demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, proving herself worthy of the honor. Her journey culminated in a visit to the World Taekwondo Headquarters in Korea, where she received her certificate from the grandmasters.
After achieving her black belt, Samyuktha celebrated with her favorite food—waffles. “After receiving my black belt, I asked my dad to take me and my close friends to my favorite waffle shop in Madurai, and we had a great treat there,” she shared enthusiastically.
Even after her incredible accomplishment, Samyuktha continues to train rigorously for two hours daily. She believes that consistency is key to success. Balancing her responsibilities requires discipline, but she has developed a structured routine to manage her time effectively.
“I wake up early in the morning and start my training with the other students. I do my homework as soon as I come home [from school]. Then I take some rest and go to the dojo for coaching along with my dad in the evening,” she explained.
Standing as an instructor for her peers is a source of immense pride for Samyuktha. She remarked, “I feel proud of myself standing as an instructor before kids of my age. Sometimes I also learn from them.”
Outside of Taekwondo, she enjoys dancing and trekking with her family. Looking ahead, Samyuktha has ambitious goals. Inspired by her parents’ achievements, she aims to secure more GWR titles, win Taekwondo championships, and even pursue an Olympic medal for India. Additionally, she dreams of becoming a police officer.
Her advice for kids interested in trying Taekwondo reflects her enthusiasm for the sport: “Taekwondo is a good sport for health and fitness. In my experience, I tell other kids that doing workouts with friends in the dojo is more fun than playing games [on our] mobiles.”
Samyuktha’s incredible journey and determination are truly inspiring. At such a young age, she has not only achieved a world record but has also set her sights on even greater achievements, proving that dedication and passion can pave the way for extraordinary success.
