May 17, 2026:
The selection of the Jammu and Kashmir Muay Thai contingent for the upcoming 7th National Muay Thai Championship reflects the growing rise of combat sports and youth-driven sporting culture in the Union Territory. Scheduled to be held in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, from June 1 to June 4, 2026, the championship will provide young athletes from across the country an important platform to showcase discipline, strength, and competitive excellence.
The Muay Thai Association of Jammu and Kashmir (MAJK) officially announced the selected team in the presence of senior office bearers, coaches, technical officials, and supporters associated with the sport. The event highlighted not only the preparation of athletes for a national-level competition but also the increasing role of sports in shaping confidence, opportunity, and ambition among the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.
Combat sports like Muay Thai demand far more than physical ability alone. They require discipline, mental focus, fitness, courage, and continuous training. For young athletes, participation in national competitions represents both personal achievement and an opportunity to represent their region on a larger sporting platform.
The selected J&K team includes athletes across multiple weight categories, reflecting the growing grassroots participation in Muay Thai within the Union Territory. The diversity of participants, including both boys and girls, also highlights the expanding reach of martial arts among young sportspersons in Jammu and Kashmir.
The team announced by MAJK includes:
Pranav Saini, Prikshit Sharma, Aryan Mathur, Abhijyot Singh, Sukhmani Kour, Falak Koul, Parinika Koul, Tanishka Koul, Adhvika Kashyap, Samaira Sharma, Jayati, Aradhiya Sharma, Rishav Kumar, Dhruv Sharma, Divyansh Bagal, Aditya Kumar, Rayan Kotwal, Royal Kotwal, Nihaas Mahajan, Deepak Randhawa, Kartik Kaith, Ankush Choudhary, Arush Sharma, Dishant Pun Magar, Marvin Chalwania, Jouryaveer Singh, Abhyuday Singh, Laksh Deep, Vaibhav Sharma, Ankit Jeryal, and Garv Mahajan.
The selection announcement was attended by Chief Patron Sahil Aggarwal, Chairman Sanjay Bansal, President Amit Singh, Technical Director Vikas Dhar, National Referee Mohit Singh, coaches Neeraj Singh, Surjeet Dogra, and Abhimanyu Singh Charak. Senior Vice President of MAJK and Director of Makoons Pre-School, Talab Tillo Jammu, Abhishek Luthra, was also present on the occasion.
Addressing the players, Chief Patron Sahil Aggarwal and Chairman Sanjay Bansal encouraged the athletes to compete with determination and sportsmanship while striving to bring laurels to Jammu and Kashmir.
Their message reflected a broader sporting vision where young athletes are increasingly being encouraged to pursue professional opportunities in emerging sports beyond traditional disciplines.
Over the years, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed growing interest in martial arts, boxing, kickboxing, and fitness-oriented competitive sports. Such disciplines not only create sporting opportunities but also contribute to physical fitness, confidence-building, discipline, and positive youth engagement.
National championships play a crucial role in providing exposure to young athletes. Participation at higher competitive levels allows players to test their abilities, gain experience, and build pathways towards national and international recognition.
Importantly, the rise of sports associations and local training initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir demonstrates how grassroots sporting ecosystems are gradually strengthening despite infrastructural and logistical challenges.
The efforts of coaches, parents, associations, and local organisers continue to play an essential role in supporting young talent and helping athletes compete beyond regional boundaries.
As the selected Muay Thai team prepares for the championship in Haldwani, the focus now shifts toward performance, preparation, and representing Jammu and Kashmir with pride.
The journey of these young fighters symbolises more than participation in a sporting event; it reflects ambition, discipline, and the growing sporting aspirations of a new generation from Jammu and Kashmir.
