Danish Manzoor
Danish Manzoor (born 11 September 1998) is an Indian Taekwondo athlete and Fit India Ambassador from Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir. He has represented India at multiple international Olympic ranking events and is regarded as one of the most promising martial arts talents emerging from Kashmir.
In 2025, Danish won a Bronze Medal for India at the 13th Elite Cup International Taekwondo Championship in Amman, Jordan.[1]
He has also been appointed as the Ambassador of the J&K Pickleball Association,[2] further expanding his influence as a sports role model for the youth of the region.
Early Life
Danish Manzoor was born on 11 September 1998 in Gulshan Abad, Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir. From a young age, he developed a strong interest in martial arts and physical fitness. In 2010, at the age of 13, he began his Taekwondo journey under his first coach Ashfaq Ahmad Wani at the Baramulla Taekwondo Academy. His early achievements in local and state-level tournaments paved the way for a national and later international career.
Career
In 2010, he won a bronze medal at the Inter-District Taekwondo Championship in Indore Stadium, Srinagar.[3]
In 2011, he won a gold medal at a state-level competition in Jammu & Kashmir.
In 2013, he represented J&K in the 33rd Junior National Taekwondo Championship held at Puducherry.[4]
In 2015, he reached the quarter-finals in a National-level Taekwondo Championship held at Cuttack, Odisha.
In 2016, he won a silver medal at the National Championship in Rajasthan, making him eligible for the Asian Championship and Asian Indoor Games trials.[5]
In 2018, he joined the Atul International Taekwondo Academy under coach Atul Pangotra, where he began preparing for higher international competitions.
In 2019, he competed in the International Olympic Ranking G1 Championship held in Hyderabad.[6]
In 2021, Danish was awarded Best Male Athlete at the Tokey Memorial Open Taekwondo Championship, Ropar, Punjab.[7]
In 2023, he represented India at the World Taekwondo Octagon Diamond G4 Olympic Ranking Event in Gangwon, South Korea.[8]
In 2025, he made headlines by winning a bronze medal at the 13th Elite Cup International Taekwondo Championship in Amman, Jordan.[9]
Achievements
Fit India Ambassador (2022)
Ambassador – J&K Pickleball Association (2025)[2]
Bronze Medal – 13th Elite Cup International Taekwondo Championship, Jordan (2025)[1][9]
Best Male Athlete – Tokey Memorial Open Championship, Punjab (2021)[10]
Silver Medal – National Championship, Rajasthan (2016)
Bronze Medal – Inter-District Championship, Srinagar (2010)
Represented India at the World Taekwondo Octagon Diamond G4 Olympic Ranking Event, South Korea (2023)
Personal Life
Danish grew up in Gulshan Abad, Baramulla. Known for his discipline, determination, and humility, he is committed to promoting sports culture in Jammu & Kashmir. His journey from local tournaments to international championships reflects his perseverance against challenges faced by athletes from conflict-prone regions.
Danish has publicly expressed his dream of winning India’s first Olympic gold medal in Taekwondo.[11]
Recognition
Danish Manzoor is widely covered in Indian media for his sporting achievements and inspirational journey. He is considered one of the athletes capable of bringing Olympic glory to India in Taekwondo.[12]
Gallery
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Elite Cup International Taekwondo Championship: Danish Manzoor from Baramulla Wins Bronze for India in Jordan". Rising Kashmir. 2025. https://risingkashmir.com/elite-cup-international-taekwondo-championship-danish-manzoor-from-baramulla-wins-bronze-for-india-in-jordan/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Danish Manzoor appointed Ambassador of J&K Pickleball Assn". Brighter Kashmir. https://brighterkashmir.com/danish-manzoor-appointed-ambassador-of-jk-pickleball-assn.
- ↑ title=After shining on National level, Taekwondo player from J-K aims for Olympics|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/after-shining-on-national-level-taekwondo-player-from-j-k-aims-for-olympics20200914154118/%7Cdate=14 September 2020|publisher=ANI|access-date=12 June 2021}}
- ↑ "State Taekwondo team leaves for Jr Nationals". Daily Excelsior. 15 October 2013. https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/state-taekwondo-team-leaves-for-jr-nationals/.
- ↑ |title=Meet Danish Manzoor: An International Taekwondo Player From Baramulla|url=https://kashmirscroll.com/2021/07/06/meet-danish-manzoor-an-international-taekwondo-player-from-baramulla/%7Cdate=6 July 2021|publisher=Kashmir Scroll|access-date=16 July 2021}}
- ↑ "Kashmiri youngster striving to fulfill Olympic dream". Kashmir Monitor. 10 June 2020. https://www.thekashmirmonitor.net/kashmiri-youngster-striving-to-fulfill-olympic-dream/.
- ↑ "Danish awarded Best Athlete of Taekwondo C'ship". Daily Excelsior. 16 April 2021. https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/danish-awarded-best-athlete-of-taekwondo-cship/.
- ↑ "Danish Manzoor Taekwondo player from Kashmir who wants to win India’s first Olympic medal in the sport". ABP Live. 2022. https://news.abplive.com/sports/danish-manzoor-taekwondo-player-from-kashmir-who-wants-to-win-india-s-first-olympic-medal-in-the-sport-1559679.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Danish Manzoor wins bronze for India at International Taekwondo C'ship". Sentinel Assam. 2025. https://www.sentinelassam.com/sports-news/danish-manzoor-wins-bronze-for-india-at-international-taekwondo-cship.
- ↑ Daily Excelsior, 16 April 2021
- ↑ "Taekwondo Champion Danish Manzoor Dreams to Win a Gold for India". The Citizen. https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/11/21726/Taekwondo-Champion-Danish-Manzoor-Dreams-to-Win-a-Gold-for-India-.
- ↑ "How Koo fired up Kashmiri Taekwondo star Danish Manzoor's Olympic goals". CNBC TV18. https://www.cnbctv18.com/sports/how-koo-fired-up-kashmiri-taekwondo-star-danish-manzoors-olympic-goals-14988091.htm.
External Links
https://brighterkashmir.com/danish-manzoor-appointed-ambassador-of-jk-pickleball-assn brighterkashmir – Danish Manzoor appointed Ambassador of J&K Pickleball Assn] * [ https://www.sentinelassam.com/sports-news/danish-manzoor-wins-bronze-for-india-at-international-taekwondo-cship Danish Manzoor wins bronze for India at International Taekwondo C'ship] * risingkashmir – Elite Cup International Taekwondo Championship : Danish Manzoor from Baramulla Wins Bronze for India in Jordan * cnbctv18 – How Koo fired up Kashmiri Taekwondo star Danish Manzoor's Olympic goals * thecitizen – Taekwondo Champion Danish Manzoor Dreams to Win a Gold for India * abplive – Danish Manzoor, Taekwondo Player From Kashmir Who Wants To Win India’s First Olympic Medal In The Sport