Mastering martial art

Martial arts exponent Cyrus Rustomji was inducted into the Fifth World Black Belt Hall of Fame at Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia in July 2008. "The event was combined with the Seventh Malaysian Sarawak International Nanyong Wushu Dragon and Lion Festival Competition and held at the MBKS indoor stadium,” states Rustomji. Representatives from the Shaolin Temple, China, Taiwan, USA, Canada, Russia, Singapore, Bangl­adesh, India, etc, attended the event.

Versatile in several styles, Rustomji demonstrated his skill in the art of Kongo Yawara Jutsu (using a mini dumbbell which is deadly in the hands of an expert, he explains), the Ninja weapon of jutte jutsu (iron truncheon) used by modern police for subduing and arresting an attacker, the double sticks of Modern Arnis/Eskrima/Kali, the hanbo (a three-foot Ninja mid stick also used by riot police). Much appreciated, he says, was the technique of overpowering an opponent using his own limbs as a "human tie.” Rustomji was awarded a trophy in the Grandmaster category and a Golden Lifetime Achievement Award for decades of dedication to martial arts, states his bio data.

Cyrus Rustomji (right) with organizer Song Swee Hee in Malaysia

Soon thereafter, Rustomji received recognition from the United States Martial Arts Association Hall of Fame — a Golden Lifetime Achievement Award in the art of Ninjutsu, Ketsugo Ryu Jujitsu and Modern Arnis. His highest rank, a ninth degree Grandmaster level black belt, in Ninjutsu came from the United Sokeship Alliance International USA.

Rustomji specializes in survival, security and bodyguard techniques. He is working, he says, on a book wherein the 36 arts of Ninjutsu will be described but finding a publisher is proving difficult.