The courage of karate

"Learning karate makes you strong, it gives you power. If you have power, you have courage and if you have courage you can face anything,” says 14-year-old Adil Watchmaker of Ahmedabad. Watchmaker obtained his first dan (degree) black belt in May 2006, receiving two certificates and two trophies. "Adil received his black belt through two institutions – the India Isshin-Ryu Karate Kobudo as well as the International Martial Arts Federation of India, under local master Renshi Dr O. Muthu Manickam and main master Dai Sensei Dr H. Balachandar,” states Adil’s mother Pervin.

"I feel very proud and happy,” says the lad who is currently in Standard X. "It’s a huge achievement as black belt exams are very tough. Everything has to be done 100 times – push-ups, pull-ups, etc. The hand blocks, the kicks should be perfect or things can go wrong.” At a student grading and demonstration on May 14, Adil demonstrated all the katas (forms), the single as well as double ‘nanchakus’ (fighting sticks), the ‘bo’ (wooden staff), the ‘sai’ (sword), the ‘kumite’ (sparring), and other techniques of self defense. "The highlight was his ability to break four tiles at one go,” notes Pervin who has been in the teaching line for over two decades and is presently principal of a pre-primary school in Ahmedabad.

From left: Adil Watchmaker, Sensei Balachandar and school principal Sandeep Pandya

Despite the academic pressures, Adil continues to keep his date with fitness once a week at the karate class. His one wish is to meet Kyoshi Vispy Kapadia and emulate his achievements, observes Pervin. Adil is very clear about his future – he wants to be a pilot.

"My son was a very hyper and aggressive child, but today yoga, meditation and karate have brought discipline into his life,” narrates the mother. "It has been a tough ride and many kids left karate along the way. But my husband Rustom and I encouraged Adil to continue, to finish the task in hand. I never force, it is up to the children to decide.”