India’s only Karate team heads to JSKA World Championship 2025 in Japan

The All India Budo Shotokan Karate Association (AIBSKA) is the sole Indian contingent at the prestigious Japan Shotokan Karate Association (JSKA) World Championship 2025, scheduled from November 1–3 at the historic Ehime Prefectural Budokan in Matsuyama, Japan. The global event will witness participation from 25–30 leading nations, showcasing some of the finest exponents of martial arts.The AIBSKA-JSKA India squad brings together an inspiring blend of seasoned champions and rising stars. Leading the delegation is Tirthankar Nandy, serving as Team Representative, Referee, and Judge. Among the standout senior athletes are Samir Singh, a Double Gold Medalist at the FSKA World Championship 2024; Sanjay Kumar Subba, an AIBSKA National Champion; Abdul Kader, the reigning National Kumite Champion; Shuvendu Dev, crowned National Kata Champion 2024; and Saptarshi Mukherjee, an accomplished international medalist and mentor.The youth brigade is equally formidable, led by Rupsa Gupta, Silver Medalist at JSKA St. Petersburg 2018, alongside promising talents Sri Kumaran Senthil Kumar, Bompu Karlo, and Shreya Gogoi—all of whom delivered stellar performances at the FSKA World Cup 2024.Adding a unique edge, 70-year-old instructor Sellathurai Ganeshalingam, an Indian-origin karateka based in Britain, will also represent India, symbolising AIBSKA’s global outreach.The Ehime Prefectural Budokan, one of Japan’s most iconic martial arts arenas, will serve as the venue. The JSKA World Championship, rooted in the traditions of Shotokan masters, has grown into a premier stage for karate-do, promoting excellence, discipline, and cultural exchange.Among the key contenders are Samir Singh, fresh from double gold at last year’s FSKA World Championship; Rupsa Gupta, a promising youth medalist; and Saptarshi Mukherjee, both a coach and a seasoned international competitor. The younger athletes from Dehradun, guided by Mukherjee, are expected to carry India’s hopes into the finals.For nearly two decades, AIBSKA has carried the Indian flag across continents, securing medals at JSKA World Championships in Europe, Asia, and South America. With its 2025 campaign, the association aims to cement India’s standing in the global karate fraternity.“This year’s JSKA World Championship is not just about medals; it’s about carrying the spirit of true budo karate to the world,” an AIBSKA spokesperson said. As the only Indian team, AIBSKA-JSKA India embodies the nation’s pride, discipline, and fighting spirit in the pursuit of excellence on the world stage.