'They still underestimate India in Kudo' - Sohail Khan on mission to prove the world wrong
Sohail Khan won silver at Kudo World Cup 2025 becoming the first Indian to reach final.
Long before the medals, before the spotlight of Tokyo or the proud of championships, there was a restless boy in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, a boy his mother wanted simply to discipline. That boy grew into Sohail Khan, India’s face of Kudo, a sport that teaches you to fight.
Today, Sohail, who fights in Male -250 PI category is ranked second in Asia after a long journey marked by a record-breaking streak of 22 national gold medals, he is set to lead India’s charge at the Asian Kudo Championship 2025, to be held in Japan from November 2 to 4.
“The goal is always to grab the gold,” said Sohail when asked about what he is looking for in Tokyo this time. He has been preparing for this moment for months. “I think if I’m going for the competition, definitely I’m going for the gold medal this time,” he added.
Also Read: Sohail Khan felicitated for historic medal at Kudo World Cup
This time, the challenge ahead is greater. Sohail will step into the ring against Asia’s top-ranked fighter, Ryota Ondera, and Japan’s Tsubasa Terasaka, who currently holds the third spot in the rankings. And there will be other world’s top fighters as well.
There will be some serious challenges to tackle, but Sohail sounds ready. “I’ve been preparing for the last six months, doing all the homework before this tournament. I hope this championship will be good for us and that we can bring a strong result for India.
“I know it won’t be easy, but that’s what makes it exciting. When you step into that ring, you don’t just fight your opponent, you fight your doubts, your limits, your own mind.”
There’s one thing that could add to the pressure, it’s the rankings. Sohail stading right between two Japanese stars, Ondera Terasaka. Does that ever get to him? Does being the second rank matter?
“Not really,” he answered. “Rankings don’t define fights. In a sport like Kudo, one punch or one kick can change everything in a second. What matters is how you perform on that day.”
He pauses for a moment, then adds, “Still, when you wear that Indian flag on your uniform, there’s always pressure. But that’s the kind of pressure that keeps you alive.”
The World Cup that changed everything
So why is this tournament in Tokyo so important for Sohail? Because it’s one place where he still has something to prove.
A former Junior World Champion (2017), Sohail wrote his name into Indian sports history earlier this year when he won silver medal at the 2025 Kudo World Cup, becoming the first Indian male fighter ever to reach the final.
The Golden Boy of Madhya Pradesh began with a walkover in the Round of 16 after his opponent, Abdulla, missed the weight limit. From then on, it was all brilliance as he defeated Bulgaria’s Rusev Radoslav (1–0) in the quarters and Lithuania’s Andzej Voinius (4–0) in the semis to storm into the final.
In the championship bout, Sohail faced France’s Quentin Miramont. It was an exhausting, nerve-wracking fight that went into a rare third round. Despite giving everything he had, Sohail fell just short of gold but his performance had already made history.
“Honestly, before I went there, I didn’t even think about medals,” he said reflecting on the biggest battle of his life. “My only goal was to show the best version of myself. Before that, no Indian athlete had even qualified for a single fight at the international level. I wanted to change that.
“When I won my first two fights and reached the medal round, it was emotional — not just for me, but for every Indian athlete who had ever dreamt of that stage. The semifinal against Lithuania… I’ll never forget that moment. I had waited for it since 2023 — to bring a medal home for India.”
“I didn’t get gold that time, but that silver felt like the beginning. Now, I want to finish what I started.”
Also Read: India’s Sohail Khan urges inclusion of Kudo in future World Games
Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar and the Kudo revolution
Just a day before flying to Tokyo, the Madhya Pradesh-born Kudo star was in Surat, Gujarat, attending the Akshay Kumar Kudo Championship on October 29.
His and the idol of millions of Indians, the Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, was expected to arrive on the final day to honour the winners. Sohail, however, wasn’t competing this time. “No, I didn’t,” he told us.
“The federation has advised those of us going to the Asian Championship not to participate — just to avoid injuries. Tokyo is too close, and this time, it’s really important for me to stay fit and focused.”
Now, one might wonder, what does Akshay Kumar have to do with Kudo? Sohail smiles as he explains:“It’s a huge tournament. Every year, athletes from all over the world come to participate, and it’s completely free.
“No registration fee, no charges for medals or food. Akshay sir sponsors everything. I’m actually at that tournament right now in Surat, and Akshay sir is coming tomorrow to meet the players and award the winners. It’s always motivating to see him in person.”
At home, Sohail’s dominance is unmatched. The 26-year-old holds an extraordinary record of 22 consecutive national gold medals, making him one of the most decorated martial artists in Indian Kudo history. He is a four-time gold medalist at the prestigious Akshay Kumar International Kudo Tournament.
He is also a multiple-time Madhya Pradesh State Champion, he has rightfully earned the title of the ‘Golden Boy of Madhya Pradesh.’ Beyond the medals, Sohail has earned a role in India as an officer in the Income Tax Department, where he serves through the sports quota.
Nevertheless, every story of greatness begins somewhere small and for Sohail Khan, it began at home, with his mother.
“Actually, my mother was the one who motivated me to get into sports,” he recalled when asked about the very start of his illustrous career in the martial art sport.
“Not specifically Kudo, she just wanted me to be disciplined. I was a very notorious kid, and she thought sports might fix that.”
What started as a mother’s hope soon turned into a lifelong passion. Sohail began with karate, and from there, his fascination with martial arts started to grow.
“When I started playing, my biggest inspiration was Akshay Kumar, I used to watch his action scenes and wanted to fight like him,” he said.
That inspiration would later come full circle when Akshay Kumar himself became the chairman of Kudo India and started the Akshay Kumar International Kudo Tournament.
What’s the future of Kudo in India?
But, of all the sports he could have chosen like karate, taekwondo, wushu, or boxing, Sohail chose Kudo. Why?
“Because it gave me everything I was looking for in a fight,” he said. Before Kudo, he had already represented India in karate and taekwondo, even won national medals in wushu.
But something was missing. “In karate, it was only punches and kicks. In taekwondo, only kicking. In boxing, only punching. I wanted something complete — something that tested every part of you.”
That’s where Kudo came in. “Kudo teaches you everything — punches, kicks, throws, elbows, knees, ground fight — all in one,” he explains, his voice lighting up with excitement. “And the best part? It’s safe, it’s disciplined, and it challenges you both mentally and physically. For me, it’s the complete martial art.”
Still, the question was there—why Kudo? After all, in India, cricket isn’t just a sport; it’s a religion that overshadows almost everything else.
Choosing a lesser-known martial art like Kudo was never going to be the easy path. Sohail after a thought replied and explained, “In India, Kudo is still a very young sport, just about twelve or thirteen years old.
“But it’s growing fast. Today, more than 4,500 athletes participate at the national level. Even five- and six-year-old kids are competing. That’s how quickly it’s spreading.”
Still, the challenges are real. Kudo doesn’t yet enjoy the fame, funding, or fan following of mainstream sports. Limited awareness and minimal government recognition make it tough for athletes to chase it full-time.
But Sohail believes change is finally coming, thanks to the efforts of the Kudo India Federation and its head coach, Hanshi Mehul Sir.
“Our federation is doing incredible work,” he said proudly. “They’ve signed a memorandum with a private company that gives players job opportunities. Every year, around 2,000 Kudo students will get appointed with VFS Global as vigilance or security officers.
It’s a huge motivation for young athletes — it means you can chase your dream and still have a secure future.”
And there’s even more hope on the horizon. Something as great as the Olympics might soon embrace the sport.
“The international body is already recognized by TIFSA, a sub-body of the International Olympic Committee — and there’s talk about bringing Kudo into the Asian Games. So maybe, one day, we’ll see it at the Olympics too,” he said.
Still, Sohail knows the journey ahead is difficult walking on the road not taken by many. “At the international level, India is often underestimated, not just in Kudo, but in martial arts in general,” he said.
“People think we lack skill or support. But that’s changing. Our wrestlers, our boxers — they’ve already shown the world what India can do. Now it’s our turn in Kudo.”
The Heroes who inspire the hero
Indian youngsters who dream of making it big in Kudo often look up to Sohail Khan as their hero, as there’s barely anything left that he has not achieved in India. But who does he look up to?
“In Kudo, there are two of my favourite players,” he said. “Viljas Tarasahi from Lithuania, he’s an amazing athlete, an amazing human being and Adam from Russia. Both are legends in my category, the -250 PI division. Watching their fights always inspires me.”
But what truly draws Sohail to them isn’t just their power or the style of play because what matters more for the Indian Kudo star is personality beyond the rings.
“For me, being a good athlete is important, but being a good human being means even more. Inside the ring, you’re opponents. Outside it, you’re just people — friends, human beings. That’s what I admire most about them.”
And when it comes to Indian sports, there’s another name that motivates him. “In cricket, my idol has always been M.S. Dhoni,” Sohail acknowledged.
For those inspired by Sohail’s journey and wondering how to begin their own, he has a simple answer. Start local, dream global.
“Kudo in India has a strong structure now,” he stated. “There are national, state, and district-level associations, and even local clubs.
Anyone who wants to train can simply visit the Kudo India website and find the nearest center. In Madhya Pradesh alone, we have clubs in Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior, and Sagar. All it takes is the first step.”
From there, it’s about consistency, courage, and belief. Athletes can start small get trained locally, compete in district and state tournaments, but always carry a big dream inside.
Now, at the end, here’s an advice to carry coming straight from the man who’s lived it.
“Work hard. There are no shortcuts,” Sohail said sharing his message to young dreamers. “Keep believing in yourself. Small successes will make a little impact, but consistency is what makes a great one. Failure doesn’t matter. If you fail, it means you’re learning. And if you keep learning, success will eventually follow.”
Who is Sohail Khan?
Sohail Khan is a professional Indian Kudo athlete, a former Junior World Champion (2017), and the 2025 Kudo World Cup silver medalist, the first Indian male ever to reach the final at that level.
What is Sohail Khan’s current world ranking?
He is ranked No. 2 in Asia in the Adult Male -250 PI category.
When and where will the 2025 Asian Kudo Championship take place?
It will be held in Tokyo, Japan, from November 2 to 4, 2025.
How did Sohail Khan start his Kudo journey?
He began martial arts as a child at his mother’s insistence for discipline. What began as karate turned into a lifelong passion that led him to Kudo.
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Uzma Fatima is a passionate sports journalist who believes every match has a story waiting to be told. Whether it's the grace of Olympic champions, the grit of tennis and badminton battles, or the drama of cricket’s highs and heartbreaks — she loves capturing the emotion behind the action. Off the field, she’s a Formula 1 enthusiast who never misses a race weekend.
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