49-year-old Vishal Seigell shines for India at the 10th Asian ITF Tae Kwon Do Championships

LockerRoom Team

26 Sep 2024

At the age of 49, Vishal Seigell has once again made his mark on the international martial arts stage, securing one gold and two silver medals for India at the 10th Asian ITF Tae Kwon Do Championships. The event, held in August, showcased the talent and dedication of martial artists from across the continent, and Seigell’s impressive performance has earned him a qualification spot for the upcoming World Championships set to take place in Italy in 2025.

Vishal Seigell, a formidable figure in the martial arts community, is not only a participant but also a renowned coach and promoter. As a 15-time National Champion, Seigell is the founder of KOI Combat Academy and serves as the CEO of Fist First Combat. 

His extensive credentials further demonstrate his commitment to the sport. From 2019 to 2023, he was the head coach of the Indian National MMA and Striking MMA Team. He is also a certified judge for the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA) in the Netherlands, and holds certifications as a referee and judge with the Association of Boxing Commissions in the USA, as well as a Class "A" Judge and Referee for the World Martial Arts Games in TAI-INDIA.

In addition to his coaching and judging roles, Seigell has been instrumental in training some of India's top fighters, including the country’s only senior World Champion and two senior Asia Pacific Champions in MMA and Striking MMA while being a coach and mentor to Indian MMA superstars like Roshan Mainam, Kantharaj Agasa, Dinesh Naorem Chungreng Koren, Sumit Bhyan and Govind Ale among others. 

India finished fourth in the overall standings at the Asian ITF Championships, trailing behind DPR Korea, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia, with a total of 11 gold medals. The competition featured top teams from Cambodia, Malaysia, Nepal, Russia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Japan, highlighting the strength and skill present in the region.