2026 Honour: Sabum Rupsing Tamang honoured by American Taekwon-Do Martial Arts Academy
Sabum Rupsing Tamang, Secretary General of the Nepal National Martial Arts Games Confederation and Founder President of the National Taekwon-Do ITF Academy, was honored by the American Taekwon-Do Martial Arts Academy (ATMAA) during a special recognition ceremony held in Reston, Virginia.
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Sabum Rupsing Tamang Honored for Outstanding Leadership
The academy presented the honor in recognition of Tamang’s outstanding leadership and his long-standing commitment to promoting and developing ITF Taekwon-Do in Nepal. The ceremony celebrated his efforts to strengthen the martial arts community and inspire the next generation of practitioners through his dedication and vision.
On the same occasion, Sabum Rupsing Tamang presented honorary recognitions to Master Krishna Balal and Master Raj Kumar Thapa Magar for their exceptional contributions to the growth of ITF Taekwon-Do in Nepal.
Master Krishna Balal, the founder and former president of the Nepal National Martial Arts Games Confederation and former president of Nepal ITF, was recognized for his decades of service, leadership, and commitment to advancing the sport. Meanwhile, Master Raj Kumar Thapa Magar, the founder president of Nepal ITF, received recognition for his pioneering role in establishing and expanding ITF Taekwon-Do across the country.
The ceremony brought together several Nepali-American ITF Taekwon-Do masters and instructors, reflecting the close relationship and shared commitment between the Taekwon-Do communities of Nepal and the United States. Participants highlighted the importance of international cooperation, friendship, and mutual respect in strengthening the values of martial arts.
Sabum Rupsing Tamang is currently in the United States during the FIFA World Cup, where he is attending matches while also taking time to meet with martial arts leaders and members of the Nepali Taekwon-Do community. His visit has provided an opportunity to further enhance international collaboration and promote the spirit of ITF Taekwon-Do beyond national borders.
The recognition ceremony underscored the growing global connections within the Taekwon-Do community and acknowledged the lasting contributions of Nepal’s senior martial arts leaders to the development of the sport both nationally and internationally.
About Sabum Rupsing Tamang
Sabum Rupsing Tamang is a distinguished Nepali martial arts leader, international instructor, and umpire who has dedicated his career to the global promotion and development of International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) Taekwon-Do. He serves as the Secretary General of the Nepal National Martial Arts Games Confederation (NNMGC) and is the Founder President of the National Taekwon-Do ITF Academy in Nepal.
Known for his efforts in preserving martial arts history, he notably organized the unveiling of a major portrait honoring the original founder of Taekwon-Do in the Ramechhap district of Nepal. Recognizing his lifelong dedication and invaluable global contributions to the sport, the American Taekwon-Do Martial Arts Academy (ATMAA) in Reston, Virginia, recently hosted a special ceremony where he was officially honored during his visit to the United States.
Hosting Organization: American Taekwon-Do Martial Arts Academy (ATMAA)
The special ceremony was hosted at the official dojang of the American Taekwon-Do Martial Arts Academy (ATMAA) located in Reston, Virginia. As a prominent hub for martial arts education in the United States, ATMAA is dedicated to cultivating leadership, physical excellence, and traditional Taekwon-Do values among international students and elite competitors. The academy frequently represents the region on global platforms, recently sending athletes to compete in the International Inclusive Taekwon-Do Association (IITA) World Championships.
The Lifelong Connection of Sabum Rupsing Tamang and Master Krishna Balal
The recent ceremony in the USA highlights a powerful, decades-long professional connection between Sabum Rupsing Tamang and ATMAA founder Master Krishna Balal. Long before establishing the academy in Virginia, Master Balal laid the groundwork for the sport as the President of the Nepal International Taekwon-Do Federation. Working closely alongside him, Sabum Rupsing Tamang played a pivotal role in executing that vision, eventually rising to his current position as the Secretary General of the Nepal National Martial Arts Games Confederation (NNMGC).
This deep-rooted connection between Sabum Rupsing Tamang and Master Balal has successfully bridged the gap between Nepalese athletic talent and American martial arts infrastructure. Their continued partnership ensures that traditional ITF values and international training standards are passed down to the next generation of martial artists in both nations.
