Abu Dhabi - His highpoint came last year with the championship win in Abu Dhabi
Published: Wed 27 Jul 2016, 5:48 PM
Last updated: Fri 5 Aug 2016, 11:51 AM
Rangith Puliyath Balan is preparing in right earnest for the 2016 Shinkyokushinkai Asian Championship to be held on September 3-4 in South Korea.
Shinkyokushinkai is a full contact karate form, which according to Rangith makes the battles more intriguing. And the 2015 World Karate Organisation - Shinkyokushinkai International champion is training hard despite demanding weather conditions. At the age of 32, he sees this as his last opportunity to bag another title. Also, if he bags a top three spot in Korea, he will gain an automatic qualification into the 2017 Shinkyokushinkai World Championship to be held in Kazakhstan.
"Now there is nothing else in my mind then the Busan event," says the certified karate, yoga and kick-boxing instructor at Arm Strong Karate Centre in Abu Dhabi.
On how he gained entry into this tournament and the role played by the UAE Karate Federation, he clarifies: "I won a spot after winning the qualifiers held in India. I am going there under the banner of WKO - Shinkyokushinkai India branch. However, I have to arrange my own funds. WKO - Shinkyokushinkai is not related to the UAE Karate Federation."
DECODING SHINKYOKUSHINKAI
In the 1960s, Korean-Japanese karate master Masutatsu Oyama founded a new form of karate - Kyokushin 'the ultimate truth'. It is considered the first and most influential style of full contact karate.
Oyama was also the man behind formation of the International Karate Organisation. After his death many of his disciples formed their own units with the same name. Then all branch chiefs met and formed a new organisation to protect its unique identity. It was named World Karate Organisation - Shinkyokushinkai. 'Shin' in Japanese means 'new' and 'kai' means 'association'.
One of the goals of kyokushin is to strengthen and improve character by challenging oneself through rigorous training.
Oyama's student Kenji Midori is the present president. Being a full contact form of karate, Shinkyokushinkai has a mass following. Russian President Vladimir Putin has received a high-ranking black belt in Kyokushin.
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On his karate roots, the Malappuram native from Kerala says: "I think I was born for this. My journey started with Kerala's traditional martial art Kalaripayattu, which I learned for more than six years. Later, I graduated to karate and won many state level and local tournaments."
In 2007, WKO - Shinkyokushinkai (UAE) chief instructor Sudhir Gosh was selecting athletes to manage the Asian Karate Centre in the UAE. "I underwent a 90-day rigorous training and got the visa."
In 2013, Rangith returned home to represent India in the 15th Asia Open Shinkyokushin Karate Championship that was held in Malaysia. "For last 15 years, none from India had even qualified for the event. So, I went to Kolkata and met WKO - Shinkyokushinkai India in-charge Shivji Ganguly. I fought seven athletes and gained entry into the tournament. I didn't finish in top three but was the only one to walk-in without a coach," says the five-foot four-inch sensei.
But financial woes soon brought him back to the UAE in 2014. His highpoint came last year with the championship win in Abu Dhabi. "My kick was adjudged the best by Japan Shinkyokushinkai," said the Japan Karate-Do Shinkyokushinkai third Dan Black belt holder.
Rangith aims to leave for Seoul in advance to prepare for the event but faces an uphill battle with fund shortage and sponsorship.
His participation, including training, food, accommodation among others will cost Dh30,000. He job as a trainer get him meagre Dh2,500.
"I have never asked for assistance but now am in a hole. Inshallah, I will come out triumphant," said the father of two daughters.
Ask him about his marriage and he took a while remembering his wedding year. "Now my focus is only on one thing - the championship. Thankfully I have an understanding family," he adds.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com
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