Tura, Aug 10: Mathew Ch Momin of Tura, who popularized the Korean martial art form of Taekwondo across Garo Hills and the state, turning it into one of the most sought-after sports for the youth in the region, has died at the age of 59.
Popularly known by his nickname Chichi and father of four children, Mathew Ch Momin lost his battle against cancer early Sunday morning at the Tura Civil Hospital.
Being the first national gold medallist in Taekwondo from the region, Mathew was one of the most recognized faces of the martial arts sport, having received multiple black belt Dans. He won gold at the national championships in New Delhi in 1985 and was also awarded the best fighter at the tournament- becoming the first from the region, cementing his name in the annals of martial arts history from the north east.
In the early 1980s and 1990s, at a time when Garo Hills had little to no sporting activity for the youth, Mathew together with another Taekwondo Sabom (master) Eugene K Marak, began introducing the sport to the young boys and girls of Tura. In an era of martial arts movies- popularized by the great Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, it quickly caught on the imagination of the young minds.
Soon, school halls, indoor stadiums and gymnasiums began getting record numbers of enthusiastic eager beavers for the sport. Today, many schools across Tura, Williamnagar, Baghmara, Ampati and Resubelpara have martial arts classes teeming with students eager to learn physical exercise with discipline.
For the martial arts fraternity of the region, particularly Taekwondo, it is a double blow as Mathew’s demise comes months after another legendary Sabom Eugene Marak passed away.
