Karate master’s journey of discipline and dedication inspires next generation

In the early 1980s, an 11-year-old boy named Haridas from Mumbai stepped into a Karate dojo, unaware that this simple act would define the course of his life. Although initially more interested in cricket, it was his elder brother who encouraged him to give Karate a try.

That small push became the gateway to a lifelong journey of martial arts, discipline and self-discovery.

Today, Haridas Govind is a 7th Dan Black Belt in Shito Ryu Karate and proudly holds the title of Kyoshi - an honour reserved for masters who possess deep technical expertise, philosophical insight and a proven ability to guide others on the martial path.

By the late 1980s, Haridas was already making a mark at state and national-level competitions, particularly in Kata. He earned his black belt in 1989 and began teaching Karate at the age of 18, becoming one of the youngest instructors in Mumbai. Even as he pursued academics and built a successful corporate career in India and West Africa, his commitment to Karate never wavered. He continued to train, teach and mentor students wherever life took him. In Ghana, his student Sensei Victor Lartey emerged as an eight-time national Kata champion and a four-time West African champion.

A major turning point in his life came when he met and began training under Karate legend Hanshi Katsutaka Tanaka (9th Dan). Their bond grew over time and in 2010, Kyoshi Haridas made the bold decision to leave his corporate job and dedicate himself entirely to Karate. He was appointed as the head of Kenwa Kai India and since then has been at the forefront of organising international Karate seminars across the country, welcoming masters from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Iran and other nations.

During his recent visit to Hoshiarpur, Kyoshi Haridas spoke about the deeper essence of Karate. "Karate means 'empty hand' in Japanese. But as one trains more and more, they discover that Karate is not just physical - it becomes a way of life," he shared.

He elaborated that in the beginning, Karate appears to be simple physical exercise involving kicks and punches. At the intermediate stage, it teaches coordination and control over the body. However, as one progresses to black belt level and beyond, the journey becomes increasingly mental - focusing on strategy, awareness and self-control. "For a grandmaster, Karate is the union of body and mind and brings a deep inner calm," he explained.

On the technical side, Kyoshi Haridas broke down the two main components of Karate: Kata and Kumite. "Kata is a set sequence of fighting movements. It helps in mastering balance, posture and timing. It also improves focus and concentration," he said. In contrast, Kumite refers to sparring or controlled fighting. "Kumite trains you in distancing, power control and practical application. But your opponent is not an enemy - they are your teacher. We always bow before and after a fight as a sign of respect," he added.

When asked about the progress of Indian Karate players, Kyoshi Haridas expressed optimism. "India is improving rapidly. Thanks to the efforts of Hanshi Bharat Sharma, President of the Karate India Organisation (KIO), our players are now winning medals at the Asian level. In the recent Asian Karate Federation Senior Championship, India won three medals - a proud moment for us," he noted.

He further revealed that former world champions will soon be conducting training sessions in Odisha for KIO's qualifying players, with many more international seminars in the pipeline. "The future of Karate in India is bright. Under strong leadership, more Indian players will shine at global platforms," he concluded.

Kyoshi Haridas Govind's life story stands as a true testament to how dedication, discipline, and passion can transform a person and inspire generations - in India and far beyond.