Chennai: Meet master Kyosi Sivabaalan, who is a living example of the saying ‘Age is no barrier to achieve success’.
Aged 51, he recently secured second and third spots at the Okinawa Isshinryu World Karate Championship held in New Jersey, USA.
A resident of LIC Nagar in Madipakkam, i the city suburb, Sivabaalan runs karate centres across Chennai, under the name ‘Tatsuokan Isshinryu Karate School’.
Speaking to ‘News Today’, Sivabaalan said he started learning karate at the age of 12 and for the past 30 years, he has been teaching the martial art. He said he has tutored more than 40,0000 individuals including policemen.
Apart from being a master, he is also the director of Okinawa Isshinryu Karate and Kobudo Association and was appointed style chief and president of Isshinryu Karate by the Karate Association of India, which is a body recognised by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs and the Indian Olympic Committee.
When asked about his recent event, he said, “It was for people who practice Isshinryu style karate. People from over 14 countries across the world took part in it. I represented India and secured second place in Kobudo and third in karate. It was a wonderful experience.”
“Age was never a barrier for me and also for my students. Even senior citizens are learning karate from me and take part in events. Also, I am against gender partiality. I allow female students to fight and learn with men in the class. They will gain confidence.” he said. Currently Sivabaalan is taking karate classes for over 300 students in the area.
When asked about the benefits of learning Karate, he said,”There are lots of advantages. Karate enhances a person both physically and mentally. It teaches discipline and increases the concentration level of the learner.”
He can be reached at 98414 62536.