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India Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
The Silent Fighter: How Sohail Khan put India on the Kudo World Map
Earlier this month, in a quiet corner of Sofia, Bulgaria, the Indian flag rose on unfamiliar ground. It wasn't cricket. It wasn't wrestling. There were no roaring crowds or primetime broadcasts. But inside a modest arena, on a blue mat far from the spotlight, a 25-year-old from Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, did something no Indian man had ever done Khan became the first Indian male fighter to reach the final of the Kudo World he returned home with a silver medal draped around his neck, it wasn't just history—it was a statement. That even in the margins of Indian sport, in corners few care to explore, someone was still fighting. Still pushing boundaries. Still demanding recognition.A SPORT THAT FOUND HIM Before discovering Kudo, Sohail was already a decorated karateka and taekwondo athlete. But something was missing.'People often ask me—if I had already reached the national and international level in karate, why did I switch?' he says. 'Some even point out that taekwondo and karate have been part of the Olympics. But for me, Kudo offered something deeper—it teaches everything together.'The sport that would eventually define him wasn't introduced with medals or glory, but with curiosity.'Son,' his coach told him, 'there's a game where you learn punching, kicking, throwing—everything at once. It's not just self-defence—it's a complete sport.'That pitch stayed with him.'What I couldn't learn by going to different places or trying different sports,' he says, 'I was able to learn all in one place.'HOW IS KUDO DIFFERENT FROM MMA?Kudo is a Japanese hybrid martial art—a full-contact combat sport that blends safety with practicality. Unlike traditional styles that focus solely on striking or grappling, Kudo integrates punches and kicks with throws, locks, restraints, and chokeholds. Fighters wear headgear and gloves, combining aggression with discipline was founded in 1981 by Azuma Takashi, a black belt in both Kyokushin Karate and Judo. Azuma envisioned a martial art that transcended the limits of a single discipline. He merged the most effective aspects of striking and grappling to create Daido Juku—a system built around structured, competitive combat. In 2001, it was formally renamed Sohail tells people he plays Kudo, he's often met with blank stares. Most mistake it for Judo. Others assume it's a form of Karate or Kung Fu.'It's still new in India,' he says. 'A lot of people hear 'Judo' instead. Others think it's like Karate or Kung Fu—but those are completely different.'Many also compare it to MMA, but Sohail is quick to set the record biggest difference,' he explains, 'is that Kudo has structure. It's a sport—with a point system and strict safety rules. MMA is freestyle: you either win by knockout or submission. But in Kudo, even though it's full-contact, safety is always a priority.'He breaks it down: 'There are punches like boxing, kicks like taekwondo, throws like judo, and submissions from wrestling and jiu-jitsu. But it's not a free-for-all. It's controlled, disciplined, and respectful.' Sohail Khan Kudo Fighter poses with his silver medal at World Kudo Cup 2025 (Source: Sohail Khan) That balance of intensity and order is what drew him in.'Kudo gave me the thrill of combat, but also the assurance of control. It's professional. It's regulated. And it's grounded in respect.'Today, Kudo is recognised in Japan as a Budo sport—one that honours martial tradition while embracing modern sporting India, its rise began with Soshihan Mehul Vora, president of the KIFI Association. A landmark moment came during the 3rd Akshay Kumar International Invitational Karate-Do Tournament, when six All-Japan champions demonstrated Kudo techniques in India. The impact was immediate—and for young athletes like Sohail, it was KUD KAR BAN GAYE NAWAB"Once he embraced the sport, Sohail stopped being a part-time athlete.'Eventually, I became a full-time Kudo player,' he says. 'It wasn't a hobby anymore.'His resume reads like a martial arts dream: a gold at the Junior Kudo World Cup in 2017, bronze at the 2024 Eurasian Cup, and now silver at the World home, he earned a new title: 'The Golden Boy of Madhya Pradesh.' Coined by a local journalist, it stuck. He has now won 22 consecutive national championships—a staggering feat in Indian combat those medals is a story of quiet determination, working-class grit, and the enduring power of one mentor's into a middle-class household in Sagar, Sohail's path to international success was anything but smooth. His mother was a sub-inspector in the state police; his father worked as a clerk in the agriculture department. In their world, sport wasn't a career—it was a Sagar, a common refrain goes: 'Kheloge kudoge banoge kharab, padhoge likhoge banoge nawab.'(If you play, you ruin your future. If you study, you succeed.)advertisementNaturally, his parents were hesitant.'They were okay with me playing,' he says. 'But studies always came first.'That changed when the medals started coming. His coach, Dr Ejaz Khan, not only trained him but also convinced his parents that sport wasn't a detour—it was his destiny.'He told them I had the potential to go far. That made all the difference.'Institutional support came slowly. In 2018–19, the Indian government officially recognised Kudo as a sport eligible for central sports quota jobs. Sohail now works with the Mumbai Income Tax Department—a rare example of backing for a Kudo INDIA ON THE KUDO MAPIn Bulgaria, Sohail edged through the quarterfinals (1–0), dominated the semis (4–0), and battled through a brutal final that went into a rare third round—one of only two such bouts at the tournament. He fell just short of that wasn't the point.'Let me tell you something interesting,' he says. 'India is seen as an underdog in martial arts and combat sports globally. That pressure—to just win a single fight—was heavier than the medal round.'Now that he's broken the barrier, his sights are set my next aim is to win gold for India,' he says. 'For 13 years, no Indian had won a single senior-level fight. But now we're winning. We're on the podium. That's the beginning of a new story.'He's hopeful about where the sport is headed.'Once the Indian Olympic Association steps up,' he says, 'we'll be that much closer to seeing Kudo at the Asian Games—and maybe even the Olympics.'- Ends
Indianapolis Star
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Thomas Bryant, James Johnson Jr. look like Pacers' odd men out after Isaiah Jackson signing
INDIANAPOLIS – For the moment at least, center and former IU star Thomas Bryant and veteran forward James Johnson Jr. appear to be the odd men out in the Indiana Pacers' roster re-shuffle following Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles tendon tear and Myles Turner's departure to the Bucks. The Pacers now have four centers under contract — apparently trying to combat the loss of Turner with numbers — but Bryant isn't one of them. And they have 15 players on standard contracts, but Johnson doesn't have one of those either. Indiana acquired Jay Huff from the Grizzlies for a 2029 second-round pick and a 2031 pick swap. They also re-signed restricted free agent center Isaiah Jackson to a three-year, $21 million contract and signed free agent center James Wiseman to a two-year contract. Jackson and Wiseman were the Pacers' backup centers behind Turner to start the 2024-25 season but each tore an Achilles tendon within the season's first 10 days. Also, the Pacers picked up the club option on Tony Bradley's contract. He was signed to a pair of 10-day contracts in March before the Pacers signed him for the rest of the season and included the option in the deal. The Pacers can waive him with no penalty or trade him to open up a roster spot, but at the moment he is taking up one of the 15 spots. Bryant was acquired by the Pacers in a trade with the Heat on Dec. 15 — the first day possible because Bryant had signed a free agent deal with the Heat in the offseason — to give the Pacers depth behind Turner after Jackson and Wiseman were injured. Bryant averaged 6.9 points and 3.9 rebounds in 56 games, starting eight. He averaged 16.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per 36 minutes. He also hit a career-high 42 3-pointers in his time with the Pacers. He saw a minutes cut in the playoffs, but hit 9-of-18 3-pointers in the playoffs. The 38-year-old Johnson has been with the Pacers for each of the past three seasons. He appeared in just 39 games and averaged 1.7 points per game, but his 16 seasons in the NBA provided him veteran gravitas that made him one of the Pacers' emotional leaders. It also didn't hurt that he's been named the man players least want to get in a fight with in an anonymous poll run by The Athletic in each of the past three years, as Johnson has a second-degree black belt in Karate and had an undefeated record as a kickboxer. Teams are allowed to have 21 players — meaning three beyond the 15 players on standard contracts and three on two-way deals — at training camp. With a Bradley waiver still an option, it's not out of the question the Pacers could still bring Bryant or Johnson to camp. It's also not out of the question circumstances could lead the Pacers to sign one of them later in the year as they brought Johnson back in December of 2023 after he started the 2023-24 season as not part of the roster. But as things stand, neither has an open chair on the roster to sit in.
Al Bawaba
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Al Bawaba
Inaugural edition of Dubai Open Karate Championship sees top-level participation
The inaugural edition of the Dubai Open Karate Championship was a great success going by the sheer standard of competition and by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) and the UAE Karate Federation in cooperation with the Mentor Sports Academy, the competition witnessed participation from more than 280 players representing 13 teams, including three government clubs and nine private sports academies from across the in all categories of Kata and Kumite for various age groups were held at the indoor hall of Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club. The organisation of the Dubai Open Karate Championship is part of the Dubai Sports Council's efforts to discover and develop sporting talent in line with the Dubai Government's policy of supporting talent in various winners were crowned by His Excellency Major General Eng. Nasser Abdul Razzaq Al Razooqi, President of the UAE and Asian Karate Federations and Vice President of the International Karate Federation, in the presence of Ahmed Salem Al Mahri, Director of the Sports Talent Department at the Dubai Sports support from federationHis Excellency Major General Eng. Nasser Abdul Razzaq Al Razooqi expressed his pride in the success of the tournament, the level of organisation and the participation in all age categories. He further emphasized on the importance of continuing such events, which contribute to spreading karate and strengthening its status, especially as it is one of the oldest self-defence sports practiced in Dubai and throughout the Excellency affirmed that the UAE Karate Federation will continue to support such distinguished tournaments, given their important role in nurturing and honing emerging talents. He directed that all forms of technical and logistical support be provided to develop the event during future Salem Al Mahri, Director of the Sports Talent Department at the Dubai Sports Council, emphasized the importance of these tournaments in strengthening development programmes for talent in all sports. He noted that the participation of more than 280 male and female players in the first edition of the Karate Championship reflects the event's mentioning the future expansion of the event, Al Mahri also praised the outstanding technical level witnessed in the tournament. He emphasized that the competition was an ideal platform for discovering promising talent who will form a fundamental pillar for future national at the heartMoataz Al Salam, Tournament Director and Talent Care Programme Coordinator at the UAE Karate Federation, explained that organising the event presented special challenges in dealing with the younger age emphasized that a select group of distinguished and outstanding local and expatriate players were selected for the junior, cadet and youth categories. Prominent among these who caught the eye were Hamza Abdul Salam, Rashid Al Hajjaj, Faisal Al Khalidi, Saif Al Qaidi and Khalifa Al and inclusion The tournament also witnessed the participation of people of determination, reflecting the organising committee's commitment to integrating all segments of society into sporting events while promoting the values of inclusion and equality in sports. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba ( Signal PressWire is the world's largest independent Middle East PR distribution service.
Pink Villa
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Karate Kid Legends Worldwide Box Office: Ben Wang-Jackie Chan actioner crawls towards USD 100 million amidst China rejection
Karate Kid starring Ben Wang, Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio has amassed USD 74 million worldwide till Sunday, 8th June 2025. The film had a staggered rollout and thus the drops week-on-week don't look bad. The movie is at pace to gross in the vicinity of USD 110-120 million by the end of its run and that is decent for a movie with a USD 45 million budget with hardly USD 20 million spent on marketing. However, for a Karate Kid movie, it has disappointed big time. The Karate Kid with Jaden Smith was a global sensation, redefining the business of US-origin Karate films. It grossed USD 359 million and was a bonafied blockbuster. However, Karate Kid: Legends shall end its run grossing a third of the 2010 film. Adjusted for inflation, the gap is even bigger. The biggest surprise for Karate Kid: Legends, not in a good way, is the tepid response in China. The movie grossed only USD 500k in its first weekend in China and in the lifetime, it may struggle to hit even a million. For a film having a maestro like Jackie Chan part of it, the movie had to certainly be doing better. Karate Kid: Legends had one of the most underwhelming starts for a wide release at the US box office, putting up under USD 20 million over the first weekend. It was affected by competition from MI:8 and Lilo And Stitch. The trend suggests that it will amass a maximum of USD 60 million in North America. The word of mouth for the film was on the positive side with it scoring an A- on Cinescore, suggesting favourable reviews. Sadly for the film, the good word of mouth has not converted to strong collections. It now needs to be seen if the Karate movie blows up when it hits digital, or not. With some characters of Cobra Kai, the hit kungfu-karate show on Netflix, overlapping with the characters in Legends, there's a chance that the audiences on OTT dig into it.
Gizmodo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
The Best Scenes in ‘Karate Kid: Legends' Are Its First and Last
I have been looking forward to Karate Kid: Legends before we even knew what Karate Kid: Legends was. The film was announced in 2022 but it took more than a year after that for the news to break that both Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan would star, combining the past, present, and future of the franchise. Macchio's inclusion also assured that the story would have to link in some way to the hit Netflix show Cobra Kai, which was great because the movie seemingly existed in large part due to the show's popularity. Well now, almost three years since its announcement, the film is finally here, and I was supremely disappointed. There were good ideas in there, and a strong chance of sending The Karate Kid off in a fun new direction. But for the most part, the film fumbles all of that. In the end, I was left only excited about two things in the movie—the beginning and the end. The beginning of Karate Kid: Legends is maddening because it sets such high expectations for what's to come, but never delivers on them. 'Okinawa, Japan, 1986,' the screen reads as we watch a scene from The Karate Kid Part II (which was released in 1986 but actually set before that, not that this movie cares). In the scene, taken from footage shot at the time, Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) explains how his ancestor learned Chinese Kung Fu from the Han clan and brought that back to Japan. It was the beginning of a centuries-long bond between the families, one that, we know, will manifest later in the movie with Mr. Han (Chan) and Daniel (Macchio) as the respective representatives. That retconning of footage we've already seen, coupled with an added animation to give it context, really makes you feel like what you are about to see is going to be epic. Two legendary martial arts families united as one for some big, important cause. Of course, what you then see is Mr. Han's great nephew, Li (Ben Wang), training Pacey from Dawson's Creek to box for an hour—but hey, the beginning is great. Of course, eventually, Li's uncle Mr. Han comes to New York to help him train for a tournament, and he, for some reason, decides Li needs Daniel to help too. So Daniel comes, trains Li, and—this is the spoiler zone—Li wins. That's not the great scene at the end, though. The great scene at the end is when Daniel goes back to California, and Li sends him a New York pizza in the mail with a note teasing about future collaborations. Daniel accepts the package and turns around to reveal none other than Johnny Lawrence played by William Zabka. Lawrence, of course, was Daniel's nemesis in the original Karate Kid movie but then spent six seasons of Cobra Kai changing his entire life, eventually becoming the sensei at the most famous dojo in the world. None of that comes to play here, but just seeing Johnny post-Cobra Kai, cracking a few jokes about Miyagi-inspired pizza places, is inspired. In my screening of the film, it's the only moment that elicited any kind of audience reaction. It's funny, nostalgic for the originals as well as the show, and it reminds you that this is a larger world. So is the existence of Karate Kid: Legends worth it for those two moments? Not really. But, Ben Wang as Li is a very cool character and maybe, if the film finds an audience, we can see him on the mat again in the future.
