Siva Renganatha, recently received an award!

Siva Renganathan, the instructor of Gurumu Taekwondo has recently received an award, been selected as an Olympic torch bearer and met the Queen.

There were various categories available under which you were able to nominate and Siva was nominated under the sport category which encompassed 'coaching an individual or group, or taking part in a sporting activity.'

"When it comes to Taekwondo, few can claim to match Siva achievements. The martial arts expert has created Gurumu Taekwondo, currently ranked number one club in the country. Thanks to his constant encouragement and persistence, his students have represented Great Britain across the country and in Europe; in 2011 his team won first place at the British National Championships. Siva was appointed the cadet coach for the National Academy and coached the GB national team at the 2011 European Championships – something he is still doing today. As well as being a role model to his students for many years, Siva is now officially an Inspiring Person."

Torchbearer

The search for Olympic Torchbearers began early last year. With only 8,000 spaces available the chance of being one of the lucky few to get selected was slim. The organisers were looking for "inspirational people" who have made a contribution to their community. To nominate you had to write 100-150 words on why you believe your nominee deserves to carry the Olympic flame. Judging panels in each region of the UK were established to choose Torchbearers for their area and winning story will be celebrated in the run up to the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Siva from Gurumu Taekwondo is one of the lucky few to have the honour of being selected to be a Torchbearer in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay by Lloyds TSB. He was nominated by his student Zaeem Arshad. You can read Siva's story below:

"This person has made an impact on many peoples lives especially mine. Ive only been trained by him for 3 years and my life has honestly changed. A role model Is what i think when i look at him and whenever i have to make a desicion i think "What would he do?". A very experianced martial artist with an amazing character. He inspires soo many young people with the things he tells us, he does his best and does more then we pay him to. A unique member of the society. He always looks out and cares for us, advises us, encourages us (not only in taekwondo but in the real world) when his job is only to teach us taekwondo doing more than he is asked! and is brave enough to take anything on! He always puts other people infront of him and is really humble. Apart from all of this he is just generally a nice guys which people ALWAYS come to when there feeling down. He is probably already nominated!"

Queen's Annual Garden Party

In May 2012 Siva attended the Queen's Royal Garden Parties at Buckingham Party. A recommendation from the Mayor of Newham was sent to the Lord's chamberlain's office to invite Siva to the Queen's Annual Garden Party in recognition for his efforts in shaping and promoting wellbeing in the community through Taekwondo.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied by other members of the Royal family, circulate among the guests after the National Anthem has been played. Each member takes a different route and random presentations are made so that everyone has an equal opportunity to speak to The Queen and members of the Royal family whilst enjoying Afternoon Tea in the palace garden.