In a major boost for Indo-German sports exchange and youth athletic talent, 22-year-old Khinsan Wangsu from Arunachal Pradesh has been selected to represent India in Taekwondo at the prestigious World University Games 2025, scheduled to take place in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany. Her selection not only marks a personal triumph but also symbolizes growing sports connections between India and Germany, especially in the arena of university-level athletics.
The World University Games, hosted by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), is among the largest multi-sport events for student-athletes globally. The 2025 edition in Germany promises to highlight themes of sustainability, inclusion, and international cooperation — values that resonate deeply with both Indian and German sporting visions.
A Trailblazer from India’s Northeast
Khinsan Wangsu hails from Mington village in the Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh and belongs to the indigenous Wancho tribe. Currently pursuing her B.Sc. in Sports Science at Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, she secured her spot on the national team through an outstanding performance at the selection trials held in February at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.
She is one of 13 women selected to represent India in Taekwondo at the World University Games — a first for many from her region. Her selection is being seen as a landmark achievement, bringing well-deserved attention to the sporting potential in India’s northeastern states.
A Medal-Winning Journey to Germany
Khinsan’s journey to international recognition has been paved with consistent national-level success. She has clinched four gold, one silver, and two bronze medals across major national Taekwondo championships. Among her achievements, two gold medals — won at the National Games in Goa and Uttarakhand — stand out as highlights that bolstered her selection for the Indian squad.
This latest milestone elevates her to the global stage, where she will be among thousands of athletes from over 150 countries competing in Germany.
Celebration and Support from Home Turf
The announcement of her selection has been met with widespread celebration in Arunachal Pradesh and the larger sporting community of the Northeast. Arunachal Taekwondo Association Secretary General Likha Robin hailed her achievement, stating, “Khinsan’s journey is a beacon of inspiration for young athletes, especially those from underrepresented regions like ours. It’s a proud moment not only for Arunachal but for all of India.”
He added that such international representation fosters greater confidence and recognition for northeastern athletes on both national and international platforms.
Strengthening India-Germany People-to-People Ties
As Germany prepares to host student-athletes from across the globe, Khinsan Wangsu’s participation reflects the evolving depth of people-to-people engagement between India and Germany, particularly in youth development and sports diplomacy. With Germany known for its focus on structured sports education and India nurturing its grassroots talents, platforms like the World University Games play a crucial role in building mutual understanding and excellence.
Khinsan’s journey from the foothills of Longding to the world stage in Germany stands as a compelling narrative of determination, discipline, and the growing Indo-German collaboration in sports and education.
