Goemkarponn’s desk
CANACONA – Erica De Sequeira, a 12-year-old is all set to represent India at the 10th Tong-il Moo-Do(TIMD) Martial Arts World Cup -2022 in Istanbul (Turkey).
Erica is the youngest achiever in Martial Arts from India and the first-ever only girl from India who had the first time participated and won a bronze medal in World Mastership Committee (WMC) will be accompanied by another Goan lad Karan Pandit who, together with their coach Raunak Singh will participate at World Cup 2022 to be held from 30th July to August 4, 2022, at Istanbul(Turkey) and will be participated by 30 countries around the world. World Cup s known as the most important and challenging tournament in TIMD Martial Arts.
Starting her journey at the very young age of 9 years, Erica was ably supported by her mother Blocy and coached by Raunak Singh, along with two others had twice represented India among 49 countries and first-time won the Silver and Bronze in the World Tong-il Moo-Do Championship held in South Korea in the year 2021. Incidentally, during the high peak of the Covid pandemic, these events were held in virtual mode, enforcing all the guidelines and structures watched minutely by the judges around the world. WMC is the biggest platform in the world of Martial Arts.
TIMD is a vast growing martial art currently active in more than 70 countries. Still, Erica, who was again selected to represent India at the 2021 World Cup at Mombasa (Kenya), could not participate mainly due to a lack of financial support and Covid restrictions.
‘Even at that period, we had approached various people, including the Goa government, for sponsoring her trip to Mombasa, but somehow things didn’t materialise, and the world cup -2021 in Kenya was held without India’s participation. It was a disappointment, and an important opportunity was lost to bring glory to my country,” said Erica.
Erica, who day and night works out under the watchful guidance of her Coach Raunak Singh, also had a horrendous workout on Rajbag beach sands, practising all the three disciplines of her TIMD Martial Arts specialisation in Sparring, Forms and Demonstration.
‘I know this sort of sport is very hard, but I go for it with all the hardships. I am also studying the History and Philosophy of TIMD and Ancient Martial Arts under International Coach Raunak Singh and Head Officials off TIMD India.’, said Erica, who holds a unique record of being the most prestigious plaat TIMD Goa by most International participation and innumerous times representing of Goa in national playoffs.
TIMD events under the World Tong-il Moo-Do Federation are organised by respective governments of the countries in which the events are regularly held.
‘This time, I require no dejection but help from whatever corners it may come to help me to participate in this world prestigious cup event in Istanbul. It’s everybody’s dream to participate and particularly represent my country internationally. I do not want to miss it at any cost’, Erica, who is just 12 years stated saying she was very much disappointed to miss the Mombasa event last year.
‘It would be my dream come true to represent my country and win a medal in honour of my nation. My aim is nothing less than a Gold for my country. We had approached the government, and I again appealed to our respected Chief Minister and Sports Minister to come to my assistance and help me financially to represent Goa for my country internationally’.
Interestingly, Erica is full of confidence that her efforts and hard work will realise her dream to bring Gold and glory to the country and her State of Goa.
‘While our preparation is in full swing, sooner or later, we expect sponsorship and government support to take on this most important trip of my life to Istanbul, Erica who hails from Canacona, is studying in Class VII in Our Lady of Rosary High School, Dona Paula is the first-ever and only girl from India who had participated in WMC in 2021, from very players of various Martial Arts in the country.