In the heart of Thimphu, Bhutan, amidst the serene surroundings of the Himalayas, lies Tsal Parkour Gym, founded by a trailblazer in the world of parkour, Sonam Norbu. His journey from a self-taught enthusiast to representing Bhutan in the inaugural FIG Parkour World Championship is nothing short of remarkable.
Sonam Norbu, the unassuming founder of Tsal Parkour Gym, found himself in disbelief when contacted by the Bhutan Olympic Committee, summoning him for a meeting with Mr. Morinari Watanabe, President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). To his surprise, the meeting took an unexpected turn when he was offered a chance to compete for Bhutan in the inaugural FIG Parkour World Championship.
Recounting his incredulity, Sonam expressed, “I was unaware why the Bhutan Olympic Committee had initially contacted me, and I was even more surprised to receive an offer from Watanabe-San to compete for Bhutan in the championship.”
Parkour, an activity involving swift and agile movement through urban environments, negotiating obstacles through running, jumping, climbing, and other dynamic maneuvers, captivated Sonam’s interest. What makes his story particularly unique is that Sonam developed his skills without any formal training. Instead, he relied on self-teaching, absorbing techniques and nuances by meticulously studying videos on YouTube.
Sharing his journey in the world of parkour, Sonam elaborated on his unconventional path. “I was always drawn to the art of parkour. It was about adapting to your surroundings, overcoming obstacles, and pushing the boundaries of physical movement. I began learning by watching and rewatching various videos, meticulously dissecting the techniques showcased by parkour athletes across the globe.”
His dedication and passion for parkour led him to experiment and practice the movements in the dynamic landscapes of Thimphu. What started as a personal endeavor soon transformed into the establishment of Tsal Parkour Gym, where Sonam aimed to share his knowledge and passion for this dynamic discipline with fellow enthusiasts in Bhutan.
Sonam’s journey to the global stage of parkour is a testament to the power of passion and self-motivation. With his selection to represent Bhutan in the FIG Parkour World Championship, he stands as a testament to the heights that can be achieved through dedication, innovation, and an unyielding spirit. Sonam Norbu’s story not only reflects the beauty of individual determination but also embodies the harmonious blend of traditional values and the pursuit of a contemporary sporting discipline in the scenic
landscapes of Bhutan. As he prepares to represent his nation on the global stage, he remains a beacon of inspiration for aspiring athletes in Bhutan and beyond.
With Sonam’s unwavering commitment, the world will witness Bhutan’s entry into the world of parkour, marking a historic moment for the country and paving the way for a new chapter in the realm of sports and athletic achievements. He says that he found his love for acrobatic jumps and backflips while using a crash mat. Later, while studying in India, he discovered that his true passion was parkour. Meeting others who had similar interests stimulated his desire to start something new in Bhutan and to provide opportunities for people from all walks of life to learn parkour and to share in his passion. Obtaining the necessary funds and equipment, however, proved to be a major obstacle.
Furthermore, he needed to change people’s perceptions that a gym is merely for strengthening muscles and building bulk, but instead an investment in life. His first application for funding failed, but Sonam persisted and refined his concept and vision.
“Prior to taking up parkour, I enjoyed participating in a variety of sports,” Sonam says. “I played football when I was younger and was a member of the school team. As I practiced hard, I always won prizes as the best player. Later, I switched to taekwondo. The sight of individuals flying overhead and the postures mesmerized me, and I was excited every time I took to the mat. I was so in love with gymnastic movements that I even took up hip hop, and my best move was the back and front flips. It wasn’t until much later that I actually discovered that I had been practicing parkour my entire childhood. I just didn’t know the name.”
Sonam shared, “My biggest supporter has been my sister, and I consider her as my own mother. While my parents are not opposed to my passion, living as simple farmers in the village they know nothing about parkour. Still, they have been offering me emotional support and are happy to see me healthy and engaged in something that I love. Sadly, however, there were no career opportunities in parkour, and society did not support me in creating such openings. In fact, instead of encouragement, people would ridicule me and suggest that I had gone insane. My sister, on the other hand, inspired me not to give up my dream and gave me constant support.”
“I’m also grateful to my circle of friends. They have been among my biggest supporters and have always had faith in me. They would also give me encouragement. The audience who has been watching me do parkour from day one has also cheered me on. These three groups are my main source of encouragement, and they stir my passion and push me to pursue my hobby with greater diligence.” Moreover, he added that during his setbacks and failures, he stayed motivated by convincing himself that with perseverance it would work out in the end.
Sonam further explained that while parkour requires some agility and acrobatic expertise, everyone can learn it. They just require a safe environment at first. In Sonam’s case, there were no professional trainers to teach him the jumping techniques and he had to figure everything out by himself based on personal experience. “Most of the time I learned from YouTube”, he said, “but that often led to injuries. In fact, my whole body had been injured at some time or another,” Now the times have changed and there are many more videos available on YouTube and other social media sites.
After years of leaping around buildings and along walls, Sonam now feels confident enough to teach others who are interested in the activity. Personally, he believes that Bhutanese have a lot of potential to do parkour, but until now they have lacked guidance.
On a final note, Sonam states that trust is really important. Once you trust and believe in yourself you can surmount any obstacle. Everything can be dangerous in parkour, but to overcome those dangers you have to trust yourself. After you trust yourself, you can figure out how to jump. The rest comes naturally.
Therefore, it is important to practice time and again. As for entrepreneurship, Sonam adds, “I would advise young people who aspire to become entrepreneurs to work with honesty, passion, and dedication, and to remember that it is our duty as leaders in a field to advance and benefit society, and not to merely look for profit or fame.”
By Rinzin Dema
