Niva Maharjan, a second-grader at Alameda Elementary School, first became interested in taekwondo when she was two years old. Her parents own US World Class Taekwondo in Hollywood and she would often go with them to the studio.
Five years later, Niva has done something very few people her age have done — she’s reached the black belt level after completing the 10 stages required to qualify for the test.
“It’s a great achievement to get a black belt at such a young age,” said her father Dan Maharjan, himself an eight-degree black belt. “Niva is very skilled and disciplined and works very hard.”
According to the International Taekwondo Foundation, it usually takes 5-7 years of regular and consistent training to reach a black belt and the average age to reach this level is 14.
For Niva, the black belt is a starting point rather than a finish line. She hopes to continue advancing through the ranks as she gets older and becomes eligible for additional dan levels.
“Taekwondo makes me feel strong,” said Niva. “I feel confident and cool.”
In the studio, Niva showed off kicks, splits and punches, sprinting through the room to kick targets mid-air. She says her favorite parts of the sport are sparring and practicing her spinning hook kick.
Niva’s skill and training have already taken her beyond Portland. In December 2025, Niva traveled to Kathmandu, Nepal, to compete in the International Open Friendship Taekwondo Championships. She earned three gold medals in her age group there, qualifying her for another international competition in Melbourne, Australia this year. Niva has also competed in Seoul, South Korea, where she won a gold and silver medal.
Niva received her first-degree black belt in July at US World Class Taekwondo Hollywood School.
Niva demonstrates a kihap, or spirit yell, along with a roundhouse kick — a foundational move in Taekwondo. She also speaks at a ceremony honoring students reaching black belt status at US World Class Taekwondo in Hollywood. Every person who earns a black belt gives a speech to share why they do taekwondo, and how they exemplify the ideals of the discipline. (Kiva Hanson)
A family affair
For the Mahajarans, taekwondo has become a whole family activity that began with Niva’s father Dan. Dan moved to Portland from Nepal, where he had been practicing taekwondo for many years. He says he chose the sport because it gave him strength and confidence against bullies.
“I was always last picked and bullied, but once I got strong, I didn't deal with bullies anymore,” Dan Maharjan said.
Niva’s mother, Minu Maharjan, is herself a master and fifth-degree black belt.
The Maharjan’s school, located on Northeast Sandy Boulevard, has been part of the community since opening in 1995. The couple runs this business with support from their mothers, Devi Mahajaran, 92; and Ratna Karki, 66. Niva has a little brother Diwan, 5, and it takes the whole family to support each other and the business.
“We all come together to make this happen,” said Minu.
— By Kiva Hanson, Star News Contributor
