Summary
Likuta won gold in the Under-41 kg category at the 12th National Taekwondo Championship 2021
The Class IX student feels Taekwondo has made her strong inside out
Going to a good college, pursuing Taekwondo and opening a bakery — that, in short, is Likuta Persis Tissicca’s life goal.
The Class IX student of Hollotoli School, Dimapur, Nagaland is a Taekwondo champion and has won several gold medals, including the Under-41 kg category at the 12th National Taekwondo Championship 2021. Her recent win at the Edugraph 18 Under 18 Awards has inspired Likuta to work harder and strive for bigger goals.
Learning with her brothers
Likuta began her journey in Taekwondo when she joined the self-defence activity club in school. She was in Class V at that time. Soon, she discovered her love for the sport and started participating in competitions. The 16-year-old has two older brothers and a younger brother. All three of her siblings are trained in Taekwondo but she decided to do something more about it. “My brothers learned Takewondo but didn’t continue. They were interested in other things. But I thought I could utilise my skills to achieve something. I believed in myself when I started participating in and winning competitions,” said Likuta, who practises in school during the games period. At home, she works out daily to keep fit.
Balancing studies and sport
Likuta dreams of going to a good college after finishing school. But she also wants to continue with Taekwondo. “I want to become something in life. But I don’t want to give up on Taekwondo. I study when I have to but during practice I only focus on Taekwondo. During competitions, I do miss a few classes but I make sure I make up for them,” said the Class IX girl whose favourite subjects are English and Social Studies.
Her other loves
When Likuta is at home, she tries her hand at baking in her free time. She can bake cakes, buns, cookies and breads. She would love to have her own bakery some day. “I try to bake different things. Sometimes they don’t turn out perfect but most of the times I think they are quite good. I might want to be a baker and have a small bakery of my own,” said the teenager.
Kung Fu Panda is Likuta’s favourite film. She has seen a few Jackie Chan movies, too, but she finds Kung Fu Panda funny. “Kung Fu Panda is really cute and I can watch it anytime. I have also seen a few action movies like Karate Kid,” Likuta said.
Likuta practices during the games period school and at home she follows a daily exercise regime to keep fit. SOURCE: Likuta Persis Tissica
Lessons in self-defence
Likuta’s family has been supportive of her Taekwondo and is extremely proud of her achievements.
Taekwondo, Likuta says, has taught her to be confident and physically strong. “I often hear people say that I might break bones and people should be scared of me. I laugh at the joke. The reality is that we aren’t supposed to use our skills randomly. It is an art and a self-defence skill. We can’t go about hitting people. It is an art form that helps me be confident and focused. It has made me strong inside out,” she said.
Edugraph 18 Under 18 Awards
It was celebration time at home and school when Likuta went back with the Edugraph 18 Under 18 trophy. “Every single person in my family congratulated me. Even my teachers and principal at school were so happy. A small felicitation ceremony was held at school where everyone was present,” she said.
Hollotoli School principal Suparna Roychoudhury said Likuta had made the school proud. “Likuta is a very talented child. She has been participating in various competitions and winning several accolades. The recognition she received from Edugraph is very special for us and I am sure she will be much encouraged,” Roychoudhury said.
Last updated on 11 May 2022
