“All our dreams can come true if we dare to pursue them,” Walt Disney once said. And it’s true—there’s no set age to chase your dreams, just like how Colonel Sanders founded KFC later in life.
In this article, we’ll explore the inspiring journey of Kishan Parki, a taekwondo player turned coach. We will learn about how a boy who dared to dream big as a child made that dream a reality. Through determination and a relentless spirit, he overcame challenges and turned his passion for martial arts into a successful career. So, sit back and enjoy the story of how dreams really can come true.
The childhood dream
Kishan Parki had an athletic childhood, full of energy and many promises. Hence, it didn’t take him long to establish himself as a top-draw Kabaddi player for his school team. He excelled in this sport and represented his state in the U17 Nationals as well. Despite his great performance in this sport, another passion was brewing—a fascination with martial arts that he couldn’t ignore.
Growing up, Kishan always had a crush on martial arts, sparked by the action-packed movies he watched on television. The powerful kicks, the discipline, and the sheer athleticism always left him wanting more.
Kishan recollects, “I was always fascinated by the martial arts I saw on the television and in movies.” This made him fall in love with the art, even before he started practicing. One day, he found himself staring at the opportunity to turn his dream into a reality, and guess what? He latched on to it with both hands.
While playing near his home, he spotted a taekwondo class being conducted by Pamir Sir in a building compound. That moment changed everything. Kishan convinced his parents to let him join the classes, and he never looked back.
Choosing between Kabaddi and Taekwondo
Having played Kabaddi for so long and considering all the accolades he had won in the sport, it was not easy for Kishan to just drop out. The game had given him valuable experience, but it also came with its own set of challenges.
Despite his skills in the game, Kishan often found himself on the losing end. This was because of his team’s dynamics, which often let him down. Since Kabaddi is a team sport, his overall performance was never on par, and he lost in the nationals on several occasions.
This sense of unfulfilled potential pushed him toward an individual sport like taekwondo, where his success depended entirely on his efforts. His struggles in Kabaddi only fueled his determination to succeed in taekwondo, and the transition felt natural. Kishan’s experience in Kabaddi had already made him physically and mentally tough. These traits helped him quickly adapt to the new sport.
Transition to coaching
Having completed the transition as a full-time taekwondo player, Kishan’s journey turned out to be nothing short of remarkable. He quickly rose through the ranks, participating in and winning numerous state and national championships. He shone brightly in the new field through hard work and impressive skills.
However, life had other plans. A severe knee injury—a third-grade ligament tear—brought his playing career to an abrupt halt. Despite the pain, Kishan continued to push himself until the injury became too severe to ignore, eventually requiring surgery. The recovery was long and grueling, and by the time he was ready to return, the momentum he once had was gone.
Apart from the injury concern, Kishan was also pushed into taking up part-time coaching because of his financial condition. Talking about his financial struggles, Kishan says, “I couldn’t afford good nutrition, let alone a good diet from a certified nutritionist.” As a result, he was forced into taking up coaching jobs at the Dynamic Warrior Academy, where he was already practicing as a student.
The injury changed everything for him. After being unable to return to his former fitness, he realized that his passion for taekwondo could be channeled into something even more fulfilling—helping others succeed where he once did. Coaching became his new calling, allowing him to stay connected to the sport he loved while mentoring the next generation of athletes.
Kishan Parki’s coaching methods
Transitioning from a player to a coach is never easy, and for Kishan Parki, it was no different. While he had all the technical knowledge as a player, coaching required an entirely different mindset. “Being a player and being a coach are two very different things, which I realized only after I started coaching,” Kishan said. That is where Pamir Sir once again helped him to develop his mindset as a coach.
Kishan dedicated himself to becoming the best version of his coaching self by attending numerous workshops and refining his skills by learning from those around him. He learned about periodization, creating yearly training plans, and the nuances of player development. Through these experiences, Kishan realized that coaching is much more than teaching techniques—it’s about understanding and nurturing the unique potential of every athlete.
Coach Kishan takes a deeply personalized approach to coach, studying each of his students closely to craft a tailored path to success he believes that every player is unique with their strengths and weaknesses, and as a coach, it’s his job to identify those qualities and tailor their training accordingly. Whether it’s building on their footwork, developing their strength, or honing their technique, Kishan creates individualized plans that align with each player’s goals. He closely monitors their progress, adjusting the plan as needed and ensuring that the training evolves with the player.
Kishan’s ability to see the potential in each athlete and craft a path to success sets him apart as a coach. He has successfully trained over 30 athletes who have gone on to win medals at the national level.
Kishan has come a long way, from being an enthusiastic player to becoming a dedicated mentor for several students. As the future beckons, Kishan remains focused on his mission—helping more athletes reach their full potential and achieve greatness. He’s determined to continue his journey as a coach, guiding the next generation of taekwondo champions toward their dreams.
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