Williamnagar, Nov 3: “If I am long gone, tell all the students to wear taekwondo dress with one flower in their hands and visit my house.” This was the last message of Eugene K. Marak, the renowned taekwondo master from Garo Hills, who breathed his last on November 2, 2024, at the age of 69 years.
His love and dedication for the traditional martial arts of taekwondo was renowned throughout the region, and he himself was a well accomplished taekwondoin. A 5th Dan Taekwondo Black Belt and Master Coach, Marak was a celebrated gold medallist at the 2016 Asian Continent Taekwondo Championship held in Pokhara, Nepal. He was also the proud recipient of the U Kiang Nongbah Award in 2019 and had served as a Deputy Superintendent of Police before retiring.
Born on October 30, 1955, in Megam A•kong village, Kharkutta, North Garo Hills, Meghalaya, Marak began his taekwondo journey in 1979 in Shillong under Grand Master Luthre Lohar’s mentorship. Through years of dedication, he earned his 1st Dan Black Belt from the World Taekwondo Federation, Kukkiwon, Korea, on May 14, 1986. His journey continued with 3rd Dan on February 20, 1996, 4th Dan on March 20, 2002, and 5th Dan on February 5, 2007.
Marak participated in numerous state, national, and international events, achieving remarkable success with seven gold medals, two silver, and one bronze across different championships. His dedication was recognized in February 2017, when he was awarded a Commendation Certificate for outstanding contribution and dedicated service to the advancement of taekwondo at the National Referee Seminar in Namrup.
Beyond his personal achievements, Marak was passionate about empowering others. He provided self-defence training to countless students, many of whom went on to bring honour to Garo Hills. His contributions to the state of Meghalaya and to India are deeply valued and will be remembered with gratitude.
Eugene K. Marak’s legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the students he inspired. He will be remembered as a guiding force in the martial arts community and a pillar of strength for Garo Hills.
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