Kumar Karki’s unwavering commitment to sports

Growing up, Kumar Karki would watch Bruce Lee’s movies and even reenact scenes. He wished to follow in Lee’s footsteps by training in martial arts. However, there were no such facilities in his village. When a taekwondo training center was established in his village in 1988 he immediately started taking classes. But he had to give it up to study for his SLC exams (now SEE). 

Later, he moved to Kathmandu to pursue higher studies and resumed taekwondo training under guidance of Yam Bahadur Pun at Central Dojang in Tripureshwor. In 1991, he secured a gold medal in the regional championship as well as a silver in the Color D’ Great National Championship. 

In 1992, he won a gold medal in the Color D’ GreatNational Championship, earning the title of National Champion. In 1993, he made his debut on the international stage, winning a silver medal in the Seti International Invitational Championship. Since then, he has been a key member of the national team for a decade. Following this, he won a gold medal in an international championship held in Malaysia in 1995 and China in 2001. 

His winning streak continued with multiple gold medals in the 13th Asian Games held in Bangkok, Thailand in 1998, 14th Asian Games held in Busan, South Korea in 1999 and, in the same year, he represented Nepal in the World Olympic Qualification held in Croatia. 

The Agony of missing out on the SAFF 

Karki participated in the World Olympic Qualification held in Croatia, but sustained an injury during one of his matches. He defeated a player from Laosin in his first game but got injured while competing against a player from Spain. Despite his injury, Karki returned to Nepal and participated in close training for the 8th South Asian Games (SAFF). Ten days after his return, the final selection for the SAFF took place. His injury worsened during the final selection process and he was unable to participate. 

Karki then started preparing for the 9th South Asian Games. Unfortunately, due to the attack on the Pentagon in America, the championship was canceled. “I thought I could compete in SAFF Games this time and participate in Olympic selection, but the Pentagon attack changed everything. It was one of the most painful times of my life,” says Karki. After missing the opportunity to participate in the SAFF Games for the second consecutive time, he took a break.

After retiring from his career as a taekwondo player, Karki transitioned into roles as a referee and coach. In 1995, Karki was appointed as an assistant coach under the National Sports Council, and was stationed in Lalitpur. Despite his placement, he frequently traveled to various districts, conducting referee seminars and continuing taekwondo training.

He passed the International Referee course in Italy in 2005. Out of six participants from Nepal, Karki was the only one to successfully complete the course. In 2008, he also passed the International Poomsae Referee examination held in Bangkok. He was the second Nepali, after Deep Raj Gurung, to obtain a license in both categories. Karki has participated as a judge in more than two dozen international championships. 

In 2006, the Poomsae genre of taekwondo had just begun to gain prominence. That same year, Karki represented Nepal in the World Poomsae Championship in South Korea, becoming the first Nepali to participate in the International Program of Poomsae.

Athletes Association

Karki was not only an employee at the National Sports Council, but also an active advocate for the rights of the players. He and his fellow sports friends recognized the need for an association to represent athletes. A plan was devised to establish an association dedicated to safeguarding the rights and interests of players.

Karki, along with Rajeshwor Man Sthapit of Gymnastics, took the initiative to bring the idea to fruition. They attempted to register the association in Nepal Sports Council, but after three to four months of efforts, the application was denied. Following this setback, they sought the registration of the athlete association through the District Administration Office but that didn’t work out either.

After several failed attempts and multiple efforts, the National and International Athletes Association was officially registered in 2002 and Karki assumed the role of chief secretary. He worked diligently to eliminate any discrimination among the players and initiated the publication of sports calendars and NNIPA awards, including the prestigious ‘Best Player of the Year’ award. In 2008, after years of dedicated service, Karki stepped down. However, he continues to support the association in whatever capacity he can. 

Moving to a foreign land: A path shaped by injustice at home

In 1995, Karki was appointed the assistant coach on contract with the National Sports Council. It took him about eight years to secure a permanent position. 

Karki also used to provide training at the Maitri Dojang. In 2005, he took some players to participate in a championship held in Hong Kong. The players returned with medals. However, after his return, he was questioned by the National Sports Council which expressed dissatisfaction with the evidence provided by Karki and subjected him to degradation by one level. 

“I went to Hong Kong at my own expense. The players won the medals, but I was punished for it. It was all a ploy to stop me from becoming the head coach in the future,” he says. 

After continuous harassment, Karki decided to leave his permanent job at the National Sports Council and move abroad. “I wanted to showcase my talent and explore potential in my own country. But after enduring calculated attacks against my dedication to the sport, I had no choice but to leave,” he says.

Unyielding passion

Karki arrived in America with his family for the fourth time in Oct 2008, however, found it impossible to quit taekwondo. In 2009, he began working as a trainer at an academy run by Grandmaster HK Lee. He became the head coach of the academy in 2011 and remained in that role till 2014. In 2015, Karki established the Everest World Class Taekwondo Academy. 

Today, the academy has grown to host more than 300 students, ranging in age from four to 73 years. It has branches in Cluster, Pennsylvania. The players from the academy have consistently performed well in both national and international competitions. Karki has been organizing national taekwondo competitions in Nepal as well as America apart from assisting people who want to establish their own taekwondo academies. 

Karki also manages the Everest Taekwondo Care Foundation that is funded by proceeds from sports competitions conducted by the academy, along with a portion of the academy’s earnings. It has already provided support to seven public schools in the United States. Additionally, scholarships have been awarded to hardworking and dedicated students. Currently, the academy is offering scholarships to seven individuals, including three Nepalis and four Americans. The academy also employs over a dozen Nepali instructors.

Taekwondo-driven family legacy

Karki’s wife Kalpana is also a national Taekwondo player from Nepal. She has participated in many national and international competitions. Similarly, their daughter Krisha and son Krishav are actively involved in the sport. Krisha, 4th Dan-Black Belt, is a trainer, while Krishav is undergoing training at the academy. Kalpana also contributes to training students at the academy itself. 

“Since everyone in the family is involved in the same field, life has been incredibly rewarding. The work is easier because of their support,” says Karki.