Thrilled with the response to his all-India karate championships in the last two years, Akshay Kumar now plans to make it an international activity. He wants children from other Asian nations to participate.
The championship hosted by the actor is very popular and children of all ages participate in it. The actor feels that it should no longer be restricted just to India.
More Exposurre
Says an insider, “The South Asian countries are far ahead of us in martial arts and Akki feels fighting them, and interacting with them will benefit those learning the
art here. He wants the children here to have exposure to the best karate fighters and teachers. He wants children to learn martial arts with the same passion and dedication as children in other South Asian countries do. Like a boy from a every rural family is sent to the armed forces to become a soldier, he hopes that a child from every family will be enrolled in karate.”
The Khiladi admits, “Yes. Taking the championships to an international level is on the cards. The response we have received over the last few years has been phenomenal. We have received over 5300 applications in the last 15 days. I am confident we will see success even with an international karate championship. India has some extreme talent and I’m doing all I can to expose it. I couldn’t be more pleased with every single one of them. All the adults and children take this competition very seriously — every opponent was there to win — there are guys and girls who can seriously kick ass…. I have already prepared them for the fact that next year we are making my tournament international and that countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, will be competing with India’s finest karate champions. I’m already looking forward to next year! Karate will one day be our national sport or at least in our top two.”
Apart from inviting international karate students, Akki is also planning to host the international championship at a foreign city with a tie-up with the host country. However AK maintains, “Right now, I want to host the championships only in India and I want to show the world what a great host India is.”
Avantika Singh is surprisingly shy. So what? Not all nine-year olds are chirpy, bubbly or vivacious. Eyebrows, however, are bound to rise when Anju Singh tells you that her daughter took to karate at the age of three, holds a golden-brown belt in the Go-Ju-Ryu version of the sport and is set to adorn a black belt before she turns 10. And just when you realise this is no normal kid, the mother reveals that Avantika missed out on a bronze medal by a whisker at the World Kuyukai Championship in Japan earlier this year and aspires to represent India at the big stage. However, the fact that astonishes you the most is that boys of Avantika’s age — both at Jamnabai Narsee School as well as her colony — are simply too scared to mess with her. A quick look at her face and she lets out a wry smile. Well, this isn’t the shy kid one thought! Avantika is one of the 4,500 extremely- focussed, dedicated and no-nonsense kids taking part in ‘The Akshay Kumar 2nd Invitational National Karate-Do Championships 2010’ at the Andheri Sports Complex. The tournament, which is the brainchild of Bollywood’s most famous khiladi, and Mehul Vora, a seventh degree black belt, has today become a colossal martial arts movement. Colossal because 53,000 applications were received in only two weeks. Colossal because Kumar and the sponsors (Micromax) have spent over Rs 1 crore to realise this awesome dream in a country which eats, drinks, thinks and breathes cricket. Six rectangular rubber mats in a fairly large arena — yes, it’s housefull — make for a gripping display of non-stop karate action. Not many tournaments can boast of 282 categories. Yes, you read right, 282 categories across various age and weight groups. And that means
we’ll have 282 gold medallists and an equal number of silver and bronze winners. If this isn’t a movement, what is? The actor’s prowess in martial arts is well-documented, but this tournament is truly special.
Take a bow, Kumar & Co.
Back to our not-so-shy Avantika, now proudly flaunting her bronze medal in ‘kathas’ (Japanese term for ‘moves’). “She is a bit sad. She was expected to win gold,” says Vora, who has been her coach since the very beginning. “She needs to train hard and she can represent India at big events like the Asian Games. She needs to train hard and stop eating too many burgers,” adds Vora.
The junk food comment doesn’t bother Avantika too much and she coolly announces that she loves her burgers. So does she actually want to become a karate professional? “Yes, I want to go all the way,” is not a reply you get from every other kid.
Avantika’s mother recalls a humourous story involving a boy in her daughter’s school bus. “One day, a boy starting teasing Avantika about something and she came home crying. I asked her not to be a complaint box.The other day, the same boy fooled around with her. Avantika came and told me she beat him up! I was expecting a call from the principal’s office, but thankfully, nothing of that sort happened.” So what did she do with that poor boy? “I pinched him hard. I hate it when boys play with my choti (hairdo),”Avantika says. Vora, Avantika’s guru is quick to remind that his ward has been taught how not to use her karate skills to harm or hurt anyone. “It’s meant for self-defence. Karate teaches you discipline. She will never use her skills to inflict pain on anyone.” No matter what, boys in Avantika’s class are still not prepared to mess with her.
the distance. The mom is all the more determined to see her child excel as her dreams of attending a karate class were simply quashed by elders in a conservative Punjabi household.
Kumar is doing his bit by promoting at least 4,500 such kids and their dreams.The Akshay Kumar National Karate- Do Championships, the second edition of which concluded recently, is a massive karate movement. What started as a small initiative by Kumar and Mehul Vora (VIIdegree black belt Japan/Usa) of the Nippon Budo Sogo International India, has now become the biggest tournament ever in the history of Indian karate.
“I want everybody to understand that karate is an art and not just a combat sport,” Kumar says, before adding, “I would love to make karate compulsory in schools.Everyone — especially women — deserve to be taught self-defence in this country. You’ll be surprised to know that young girls at my tournament manage throw around guys twice their height and weight and lock them to the ground. Women are powerful beings and I want them all to be protected in life.”
Kumar, who is a “student” of martial arts since his teens, says he became addicted and insanely determined to become like Bruce Lee. “I originally wanted to do martial arts so
that I could show off in front of all girls! But soon, I became so disciplined that all I did was breathe, eat, study and train karate,” he says.
Kumar even credits his calm exterior to karate. “Martial arts is what keeps me fit, agile, disciplined and punctual. It helps you control anger, negativity and enables you to focus during extremely stressful situations. Karate is more than just kicking and punching, it is an art,” Kumar adds.
For someone, who diligently trains for at least two hours every day, Kumar is unsurprisingly fit. The actor, who also trained during his days as a chef in Bangkok, says martial arts are worshipped in the Far East. “My aim is to change the perception (of martial arts) in India. We have such talented individuals. We just need to find them and nurture them. Some of the most incredible forms of martial arts trace their origins to India. They are practically secrets to the rest of the world. I want the world to see what India has to offer. We have techniques that even the Chinese don’t have, let’s be proud of our traditions and embrace what we are,” Kumar says.
The actor, however, makes it crystal clear that martial arts mustn’t be misconstrued as violence. “I hate violence. I adore my sport, but if it’s used in the wrong way, you might as well be a murderer. There’s a huge difference between a man who ‘can kill’ and ‘will kill’. Art it is not an excuse to go around thrashing people,” he says matter of factly.
Kumar is planning to host a few athletes next year. “I want to take my tournament to
the next level. Bringing foreign talent will only help us improve,” he says. Kumar, though, does not want to make martial arts a “source of entertainment on Friday nights”.
“Who wins? Who falls? No that’s not what this is about. I just want to give everyone the opportunity to learn one of the greatest forms of physical disciplines in the world. Cinema is different, training is different. I feel we should leave the attraction of martial arts to cinema and reveal the magic of martial arts to the competition floor,” he says.
Best of luck is all we can say.
3rd akshay kumar invitational national karate-do championship 2011
MID-DAY Maid ends up being a finalist at Akshay's karate tournament
| By: Hiren Kotwani Date: 2011-11-07 Place: Mumbai |
| Gets a big cash prize and a ticket to Tokyo |
The Tournament which began on the 19th of October is scheduled to go on till the 22nd of Oct. Titled the Akshay Kumar Invitational and International Karate Championship, the event will see various countries including Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Japan participate in it.
The national champions from the respective countries will be participating in the event. Japan will have 6 champions and 1 grand master representing them.
When contacted Akshay Kumar said, “Karate is me. I am Akshay because of Karate. I owe it my life, my career, my reason for being the disciplined action hero that I am. I think karate should be made compulsory in schools so that children have the ability to defend and discipline themselves.
I got a special opportunity. My father let me practice. Now, I want to be like a father to those who are not as fortunate. I wish I could do more. Right now I am funding, feeding, supporting and organising this tournament to find the best so they can compete internationally and boost karate in India
Akshay Kumar promotes karate Mumbai Mirror Oct 20, 2011, 10.52AM IST
Akshay Kumar kick started his very own karate championship.
The Tournament which began on the 19th of October is scheduled to go on till the 22nd of Oct. Titled the Akshay Kumar Invitational and International Karate Championship, the event will see various countries including Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Japan participate in it.
The national champions from the respective countries will be participating in the event. Japan will have 6 champions and 1 grand master representing them.
When contacted Akshay Kumar said, “Karate is me. I am Akshay because of Karate. I owe it my life, my career, my reason for being the disciplined action hero that I am. I think karate should be made compulsory in schools so that children have the ability to defend and discipline themselves.
I got a special opportunity. My father let me practice. Now, I want to be like a father to those who are not as fortunate. I wish I could do more. Right now I am funding, feeding, supporting and organising this tournament to find the best so they can compete internationally and boost karate in India
John accompanies Akshay to his karate tournament
By: 221011-informer-6 Date: 2011-10-22 Place: Mumbai
Akshay Kumar is leaving no stone unturned for his upcoming karate tournament. Now he’s announced a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh each for the winners of various categories. I’m told that John Abraham accompanied him to the venue on Day One and so impressed was he that he’s going again today, for the finals. The Desi Boyz seem to be getting some action outside too. Tee Hee.
1st akshay kumar invitational national karate-do championship 2009
Akshay fulfills 20 year old dream, launches Karate Championship
BollywoodHungamaNewsNetwork Posted: Aug 04, 2009
Mumbai- When he entered the industry, he knew two things – Punches and Kicking! Acting followed and though it took a few films for the industry (as well as himself) to realize his acting potential, it was Akshay’s expertise in martial arts that kept the show running for him. The young man who flew from Chandni Chowk to Bangkok and landed in Mumbai, his initial films like Mr. Bond, Ashaant, Paandav, Kaayda Kanoon and many more ran in theaters solely on his action power!
Now close to 20 years after establishing himself in the industry, Akshay Kumar is all set to be living his dream. He is now sponsoring a Karate Championship for the youngsters so that they can enhance their talent, represent the country and then move on to showcase their skills and abilities at an International level.
The championship has rightly been termed as ‘Akshay Kumar 1st Invitational Open National Karate Championship’. The event is expected to see participation from as many as 2000 athletes who would be traveling to Mumbai from across the country. The Championships would be held from 22nd-25th October 2009 at Andheri Sports Complex Mumbai.
Says an official connected to the championship, “Akshay has always been passionate about Karate and is especially considerate about the fact that there is so much talent in the country that needs to be nurtured. He was particularly moved by the plight of some really talented athletes who could reach the highest level if given an opportunity but haven’t been able to do so because of lack of funds. With this championship, he wishes to create a platform where young and budding talent from all over India would get together and get into a world class fighting event. This event will also promote Karate and Martial Arts to the remotest corners of the country.”
The entire championship is a brain child of Shihan Mehul Vora, a martial arts practitioner for over 27 years and International teacher for 15 years. Incidentally, Akshay’s son Aarav gets trained on martial arts at Vora’s class.
“I still remember Akshay coming to my Karate Class to watch Aarav train. Whenever he would see a child in need. he would ask me if he/she child would need a sponsorship”, says Vora, “When I would tell him that there were so many out there who couldn’t afford going to a Karate tournament due to lack of funds, he would always encourage me to think around how this situation could be bettered and he would extend any help that I would ask.”
This is when Vora decided to bring up the topic of the championship. “I shared the idea of championship with him and he was immediately on board”, Vora gets nostalgic here, “The idea of Akshay Kumar Invitational Open National Karate Championship was born there and then. The students who would be coming for this championship won’t have to worry about the cost implications since Akshay would be bearing it all.”
While bouts would be held from age groups as young as 6 years in all weight categories for men as well as women, it is also expected that some of the biggest names in Indian Karate would be taking part in this championship. Also, there would be a team of world class referees, judges and coaches along with international grandmasters and observers from Japan, Holland and Italy joining in.