Pune's Yash Gullapelli wins silver in individual poomsae at Saurah Open taekwondo in Nepal

Pune's young taekwondo player Yash Gullapelli has brought honour to the city by winning a silver medal at the first Saurah Open International Taekwondo Championship in Nepal.

Yash finished on the podium in the individual poomsae category. The championship was held at Saurah in Nepal's Chitwan district from October 30 to November 1, 2026. Players from nine countries took part in the international event: India, Bangladesh, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Maldives, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and host Nepal.

Players from three of Nepal's provinces, Karnali, Madhesh and Bagmati, also took part, making it a competitive platform for young martial artists.

For Yash, the silver medal is not just an international achievement. It reflects the hours of training, dedication and preparation needed to compete at a high level.

Yash is a Class 9 student at Euroschool Undri in Pune. He trains under Grand Master Chandrakant Bhosale at the Bhosale Taekwondo and Fitness Academy in Pune. Bhosale is the head of GTTF India. Under his guidance, Yash's technique, discipline and competitive temperament are sharpening.

Apart from taekwondo, Yash is also fond of endurance sports. He has taken part in several competitive 10-km runs and has completed the 21.1-km Sinhagad Half Marathon, a demanding course. He has also done a 100-km endurance cycling ride. This shows he is ready to take on physically hard challenges outside the taekwondo arena as well.

Running and cycling alongside martial arts training demands good fitness, regular practice and sound time management. Such experiences build stamina, mental strength and the ability to stay focused under pressure, qualities equally important in competitive taekwondo.

The silver medal in Nepal is an important milestone in Yash's sporting career and also reflects Pune's growing presence in competitive martial arts. It is a proud moment for his family, school and coach. The international exposure is expected to help the young player in bigger competitions ahead.