Kicking Through Limits
“What sports do you play?” the technical officer asked.
“I play football, badminton, and volleyball,” he replied with a shy smile, sitting quietly on the chair as he looked at the pictures on the wall.
Tashi Rigden Dorji is a 13-year-old boy from Zobel, Pema Gatshel, who comes from a very humble background. His parents has a decent job to support the family, and his elder brother has recently completed high school. Despite limited means, Tashi carries himself with confidence and love for sports.
He was called at the Bhutan Paralympic’s office and offically registered as a para-athlete by the Bhutan Paralympic Committee. The moment was one filled with excitement and curiosity. When asked about his training attire size, “Do you wear large?” he shook his head and softly said, “Medium.” Although the medium size did not fit him perfectly but we changed it as per his comfort. Holding the training attire in his hands made his smile grow wider. It was a small moment, but one filled with pride and hope.
Tashi’s story is truly inspiring. As he hold love for sports, he was encouraged to try different para-sports, he was gently teased about enrolling in swimming. He shook his head and said “No”, I love taekwondo.” His passion was clear.
Life can be very uncertain. He was only three years old, enrolled in an Early Childhood Development (ECD) center when a life-altering accident occurred. At the time, his parents were working at a construction site in Dechheling, Pema Gatshel and Tashi loved trucks and he was well known and adored by the workers at the site.
According to his mother, the accident happened unexpectedly. Drawn by his love for the trucks, Tashi climbed into one that was carrying a heavy load and went along with the elder boys at the site. There was a steep way at a distance; due to the recklessness of the driver and his assistant, the driver lost control and the truck rolled downhill. Tashi was seated near the window, and as the vehicle overturned, he was thrown out. He fell onto the ground, and as he lay there, the truck continued to roll down and his arm, below the elbow, was crushed under the heavy vehicle, resulting in a amputation.
Despite this traumatic experience, Tashi grew up with a strong love for sports. “I was very athletic and loved sports from my primary school days,” he shared. He studied at Mekuri Primary School, Pema Gatshel and is currently a student in grade eight at Yoechen Central School. He proudly speaks of his school environment, where teachers and friends support inclusivity and make him feel at home.
Back home, he is trained by the Taekwondo Master, Mr. Tarun. Despite the lack of proper coach and faciltiites, his spirit for the sport remains ignited. Yoechen Central School does not have a taekwondo coach and Mr. Tarun being the sole trainer has to commit in training several schools by himself.
Taekwondo is more than just a sport to me. It is a way of life that teaches respect, discipline, patience, and friendship. On the mat, everyone stands equal, regardless of background, strength, or ability.
I was first introduced to taekwondo through my friends who were already practicing the sport. They encouraged me, saying, “You should try taekwondo; it will change you.” They then recommended me to Master Tarun, and with his kind consideration and deep understanding of para-sports, he welcomed me into the training sessions. When I first met him, he told me, “Taekwondo is not about what you lack, but about how strong your spirit is.” Those words stayed with me.
I began my training in March 2025. In the beginning, it was challenging and took some effort to balance my body, learn the basics, and to adjust to the movements. I train only once a week due to the lack of a regular coach, but my determination has never faded. Many times, I reminded myself to live with strength and will. Today, I can see how far I have come. I have earned my green belt, and every step forward feels like a personal victory.
What motivates me most is not what I have lost, but what I still have. I often tell myself,“Despite losing an arm, I can still walk and train with pride, and see the beauty of the world around me.” Taekwondo has taught me to be grateful for my abilities and to focus on my strength rather than my limitations.
Master Tarun has been a constant source of motivation. He guided me, believed in me, and introduced me to the world of para-taekwondo. He once explained to me, “Para-sports is not about sympathy, it is about courage, discipline, and excellence.” From that moment on, my dream became clear. I told myself, “One day, I will represent my country on a bigger stage, even at the Paralympics.”
I am also inspired by a young boy named Jamyang Dendup from Gonpasingma Lower Secondary School, Pema Gatshel. He has cerebral palsy, yet he shines brightly on the mat. Watching him train, I often think, “If he can rise above his challenges with such courage, so can I.” Despite the challenges, he chose taekwondo and continues to train with passion and determination. His spirit reminds me that true strength comes from the heart.
“I am thankful to the Bhutan Taekwondo Federation, the Bhutan Paralympic Committee, and the Bhutan Olympic Committee for their unwavering support,” he says humbly. I was given the opportunity to participate in the 13th Korean Ambassador Taekwondo Competition held in Nepal, an experience that marked a turning point in my journey.
The atmosphere at the competition was completely new and exciting. Seeing so many talented athletes from across the South Asian region was inspiring. The event brought together both able-bodied and para-athletes, standing side by side on the same platform, united by the spirit of sport.
It was my first international match, and I was extremely nervous. When I saw athletes of such high caliber, my confidence was shaken. For a moment, I thought to myself, “Am I really ready for this level?” My heart was racing, and my legs felt heavy as I stepped onto the mat.
But once the match began, something inside me changed. The kicks came fast, the impact on my body was strong, and the intensity pushed me to my limits. In that moment, I told myself, “I cannot lose. I have to fight.” With every strike and every movement, I gave everything I had.
After a hard-fought battle, I secured the silver medal. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. Standing there, I could hardly believe it. I kept thinking, “This is my first international match and I won a medal.” The joy, pride, and gratitude I felt in that moment are words I can hardly describe.
That competition taught me that fear can be overcome, that determination can silence doubt, and that dreams begin to feel real when you dare to step onto the biggest stage. It strengthened my belief that with hard work, support, and faith in myself, I can go even further.
Although my journey in taekwondo is still short, the impact it has had on my life is profound. It has helped me build trust, form meaningful friendships, and develop deep respect for my trainer, my teammates, and myself. Taekwondo is shaping me into someone who is mentally strong, disciplined, and unafraid of challenges.
My only dream is to continue training harder, to push beyond my limits, and to one day represent my country with pride on the biggest stage such as the Paralympics.
