Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 21
Nagaland State Karate Instructor Sensei Thsathriba Sangtam was recently conferred the prestigious title of “Asian Karate Coach” (AKC) by the Referee Commission of Asian Karate-Do Federation (AKF) becoming the first in the state to be conferred with the prestigious award.
The AKC is a license of sorts allowing the holder to participate in international tournaments as officials and coaches, in effect, enabling students under the AKC holder to compete in international arenas including the Olympics.
Speaking to The Morung Express, a visibly excited Sensei Thsathriba dedicated the award to all Nagas. “This is for all Nagas,” he said, hopeful that it would benefit all Nagas.
A 4th Dan Black Belt in Karate, the 38-year old Sensei who hails from Langkok Village in Kiphire district is a former international gold medalist. He won gold at the World Kickboxing League 2004 in Delhi.
Sensei Thsathriba says that he was always interested in martial arts. “By the age of 10 years, I was already learning martial arts,” he revealed.
At 15, Thsathriba had made his way to Imphal, Manipur to train in Karate. A couple years later, he was back in Nagaland experimenting with other martial arts like Shaolin Kungfu, Kickboxing, Taekwondo etc.
Karate, which means “empty hands” in Japanese, has transformed his life for the better, Sensei Thsathriba claims and expresses hope that his “AKC license” would enable Nagas to compete in the Olympics as early as Tokyo 2020 (The International Olympic Committee voted to add karate on August 3, last).
A tad too optimistic?
With 16 years under his belt as Karate coach with the All Nagaland Karate-Do Association (ANKA), Sensei Thsathriba is confident of the potential among Nagas.
“Nagas are talented and we can achieve a lot more,” he says and advises youngsters to be dedicated and serious in taking up sports as a profession.
