Uechi Ryu Karate Do India
Uechi Ryu Karate Do India
KYOSHI K.V.MANOHARAN WITH HANSHI KIYOHIDE SHINJO
K.V. Manoharan founder of Uechi Ryu Karate Do India He serves as the Chief Instructor and Examiner at the Physical and Self Defence Training School in Koodali, Kannur District, Kerala State. The institution, founded in 1997 by Hanshi Alan Dollar, serves as the Indian Headquarters for the Okinawa Uechi Ryu Karate Do. Alongside Karate, the school offers training in other ancient martial arts, such as Kobudo, Kalarippayattu, and Yoga, promoting both physical fitness and traditional self-defense skills.
Over the years, students from various Indian states and international locations like Malaysia, America, Sweden, France, and Japan have trained at the school. The institution is recognized as a leading center for martial arts in Kerala, honoring and promoting both Indian and international martial arts traditions.
Kyoshi K.V. Manoharan began his career as a Karate instructor in 1985 at K.S.V. U.P. School in Kanhirode, Kannur District. He later expanded his classes to Koodali U.P. School in 1987. The school’s present building, inaugurated by Hanshi Alan Dollar, has become a center dedicated to advancing the practice and preservation of martial arts.
Kyoshi K.V. Manoharan has actively competed in Karate championships across India, winning numerous titles and accumulating valuable experience. Building on this, he began organizing the All India Invitational Karate Do and Kobudo Championships annually since 1991, with the upcoming 2024 event set to be held in Kannur. His 1991 championship was the first All India level invitational Karate event in Kerala State.
In 1995, he connected with Hanshi Alan Dollar, the World Representative of the Uechi Ryu Karate Do Kenyukai Association. Recognizing his dedication and skill, Hanshi Alan Dollar appointed him as the Indian Representative for the Association in 1996 and honored him with the title of Jun-Shihan.
Before training in Uechi Ryu Karate, K.V. Manoharan was a respected instructor in Goju Ryu Karate, holding a 4th Dan Black Belt in that style. After Hanshi Alan Dollar’s visit to India in 1997, K.V. Manoharan underwent intensive training under him and earned a 2nd Dan Black Belt in Uechi Ryu Karate. This training marked a milestone in his career, broadening his understanding of martial arts standards.
In 1997, he led a talented team to the World Karate Do and Kobudo Championship in Okinawa as a coach. There, Hanshi Alan Dollar introduced him to Hanshi Kiyohide Shinjo, a senior Uechi Ryu instructor, who formally recognized his 2nd Dan Black Belt with the Association’s certification. He later participated in the First Okinawa Karate and Kobudo World Tournament in 1999, further solidifying his reputation on the international stage.
Kyoshi K.V. Manoharan has visited Okinawa 30 times to train under Hanshi Kiyohide Shinjo, earning progressive ranks in Uechi Ryu Karate: Ni-Dan (2nd Dan) in 1997, San-Dan (3rd Dan) in 2000, Yon-Dan (4th Dan) in 2003, and Go-Dan (5th Dan) in 2004. He received the prestigious Shihan title (Reg. No. 20) in 2006, Roku-Dan (6th Dan) in 2011, and the 7th Dan in 2017. In 2020, he was appointed as the World President of the World All Karate Federation (WAKF) and awarded a 9th Dan by the Federation.
KYOSHI K V MANOHARAN WITH HANSHI ALAN DOLLAR
Kyoshi Manoharan has participated in numerous World Karate Championships in Okinawa since 1997. Additionally, he has served as a referee in Karate and Kobudo championships held in various international locations, including Atlanta, Canada, Switzerland, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the UAE, and Okinawa. His performances in Okinawa, often alongside Hanshi Kiyohide Shinjo, have showcased his exceptional skill and earned him considerable public admiration.
Kyoshi K.V. Manoharan has established a distinguished legacy in the 45-year history of Uechi Ryu Karate Do Kenyukai, earning recognition as the first 7th Dan Black Belt holder from the Uechi Ryu Karate Do Kenyukai Association in Southeast Asia (Shihan Reg. No. 20).
Despite his remarkable contributions to martial arts, Kyoshi Manoharan has not received full recognition from sports and Karate associations in India. His achievements are well-documented in publications in Okinawa, where his insights on World Tournament events are frequently featured, underscoring his respected status abroad.
Tracing his lineage directly to Master Kanbun Uechi, the founder of Uechi Ryu Karate (Pangainoon), Kyoshi Manoharan carries forward the teachings of Kanbun Uechi, Seiryu Shinjo, and Seiyu Shinjo. His direct instructor, Hanshi Kiyohide Shinjo, passed down the techniques and philosophy, which Kyoshi Manoharan has faithfully absorbed and now shares with his students. He has become a key figure in expanding the reach of Uechi Ryu Karate outside Okinawa, upholding the lineage with authenticity. Notably, he is the first Indian to travel to Okinawa for Uechi Ryu Karate training and to achieve a Black Belt in this respected style.
Lineage Of Uechi Ryu Karate Do India
History Of Uechi Ryu Karate Do
Uechi Ryu Karate Do has its roots in China, where it was originally known as Pangainoon, meaning “half-hard, half-soft”—a style blending strength and softness. This martial art, rooted in Southern Shaolin Temple traditions in Fujian Province, was taught by Master Shushiwa (1874-1926). Pangainoon is based on the attack and defense techniques of the tiger, dragon, and crane.
Master Kanbun Uechi, born in Okinawa in 1877, studied Pangainoon under Master Shushiwa for 13 years (1897-1910). He holds the distinction of being one of the few foreigners permitted to teach Pangainoon in China. Returning to Okinawa, he continued to teach the art until his death in 1948. His son, Master Kanei Uechi, later renamed Pangainoon Ryu Karate as “Uechi Ryu Karate” in honor of his father.
The first students of Master Kanbun Uechi were his eldest son, Master Kanei Uechi, and his friend, Master Seiryu Shinjo. Master Kanei Uechi reached the rank of 10th Dan before his passing in 1991, while Master Seiryu Shinjo achieved the rank of 8th Dan by his death in 1978. Master Seiryu Shinjo dedicated his eldest son to Master Kanbun Uechi to learn Pangainoon and trained under him from 1939 to 1948. In 1960, Master Seiyu Shinjo opened the Kadena Dojo in Okinawa, which was later moved to Yomitan in October 2004.
The highest-ranked living Uechi Ryu master, Hanshi Kiyohide Shinjo, was born in 1951. Known as the “Superman of Okinawa” for his nine consecutive championships in Kata and Kumite at the All Okinawa Karate Championships, he retired from competition to manage the Kadena Dojo after his father’s passing. In memory of Master Seiyu Shinjo, who passed away in 1981, the dojo was renamed Okinawa Uechi Ryu Karate Do Kenyukai. The term “Kenyukai” combines “Ken” (fist), “Yu” (a tribute to Seiyu), and “Kai” (group), symbolizing Seiyu Shinjo’s “Iron Fist” group. In 2006, Kadena Dojo was relocated to Toguchi, Yomitan, Okinawa, continuing its legacy as a global center of Uechi Ryu Karate.
