The Silent Fighter: How Sohail Khan Put India on the Kudo World Map

Earlier this month, in a quiet arena in Sofia, Bulgaria, something truly special happened. There were no primetime TV broadcasts or roaring crowds, but an Indian flag was raised for a sport many back home have never even heard of. A 25-year-old from Madhya Pradesh, Sohail Khan, fought his way into the history books, becoming the first Indian man to ever reach the final of the Kudo World Cup. He returned with a silver medal, a symbol of a long, hard-fought battle for recognition.

Key Highlights

• ✓ Sohail Khan became the first Indian man to reach a Kudo World Cup final, securing a historic silver medal.
• ✓ Kudo is a hybrid Japanese martial art founded in 1981 by Azuma Takashi, blending strikes, throws, and submissions.
• ✓ Hailing from Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, Sohail has won an incredible 22 consecutive national championships.
• ✓ His World Cup final against France’s Quentin Miramont was one of only two bouts in the tournament to go into a rare third round.
• ✓ He was recently felicitated by the Governor of Maharashtra, C. P. Radhakrishnan, during the 166th Income Tax Day celebrations.

A Sport That Found Him

You might be surprised to learn that before he was a Kudo champion, Sohail was already making waves in other martial arts. He was a decorated athlete in both karate and taekwondo, reaching national and international levels. So, why the switch? As he puts it, people ask him that all the time, especially since those sports are in the Olympics. For Sohail, the answer was simple: Kudo offered something more complete.

It all started with a simple pitch from his coach. "Son," he said, "there's a game where you learn punching, kicking, throwing—everything at once. It's not just self-defence—it's a complete sport." That idea stuck with Sohail. He realized that Kudo could give him what multiple other disciplines couldn't, all in one place. It wasn't just another sport; it was a calling.

So, What Exactly is Kudo?

When Sohail tells people he plays Kudo, he’s often met with confused looks. "Most mistake it for Judo," he says. "Others think it's like Karate or Kung Fu—but those are completely different." It's a relatively new sport in India, so the confusion is understandable. Here’s the thing: Kudo is a unique Japanese hybrid martial art that’s all about practical, full-contact fighting, but with a major emphasis on safety.

Founded in 1981 by the legendary Azuma Takashi—a black belt in both Kyokushin Karate and Judo—it was first known as Daido Juku. Takashi wanted to create a martial art that wasn't limited to just striking or just grappling. So, he combined the most effective techniques from both worlds: punches, kicks, throws, locks, and even chokeholds. Fighters wear protective headgear and gloves, allowing for intense but controlled combat. It was officially renamed Kudo in 2001.

Many people also lump it in with MMA, but Sohail is quick to point out the crucial differences. "The biggest difference," he explains, "is that Kudo has structure. It's a sport—with a point system and strict safety rules." Unlike MMA, which can often feel like a freestyle fight ending in a knockout or submission, Kudo is regulated, professional, and built on a foundation of respect. It’s recognized in Japan as a Budo sport, honouring martial tradition alongside modern sporting values.

💡 Sohail Breaks It Down: "There are punches like boxing, kicks like taekwondo, throws like judo, and submissions from wrestling and jiu-jitsu. But it's not a free-for-all. It's controlled, disciplined, and respectful."

The Grind Behind "The Golden Boy" Title

Sohail's journey to the world stage was anything but easy. Growing up in a middle-class family in Sagar, his mother a sub-inspector and his father a clerk, sports weren't seen as a viable career. There’s a common saying in his hometown: "Kheloge kudoge banoge kharab, padhoge likhoge banoge nawab," which means playing ruins your future, while studying makes you successful. Naturally, his parents were hesitant about his athletic pursuits.

"They were okay with me playing," Sohail shares, "but studies always came first." That perspective began to shift as the medals started piling up. A huge part of that change was his coach, Dr. Ejaz Khan, who not only trained him but also took the time to convince his parents that their son had a special talent. He told them Sohail had the potential to go far, and that faith made all the difference. Eventually, Sohail became a full-time Kudo player, and his resume is just staggering—a gold at the Junior Kudo World Cup in 2017, a bronze at the 2024 Eurasian Cup, and an unbelievable 22 consecutive national championships, earning him the nickname "The Golden Boy of Madhya Pradesh."

Putting India on the World Stage

At the Kudo World Cup 2025, Sohail’s path to the final was a masterclass in skill and resilience. He received a walkover in the Round of 16 when his opponent missed weight. He then fought a tough battle against Bulgaria’s Rusev Radoslav, winning the quarter-final 1-0. In the semis, he dominated Lithuania’s Andzej Voinius with a 4-0 victory to secure his spot in the final.

The final bout against France’s Quentin Miramont was an absolute war. After two intense rounds, the fight was so close it was forced into a rare third round, one of only two fights in the entire tournament to go the distance like that. Though he fell just short of the gold, what he accomplished was monumental. "Let me tell you something interesting," he says. "India is seen as an underdog in martial arts and combat sports globally. That pressure—to just win a single fight—was heavier than the medal round." For 13 years, no Indian man had even won a senior-level fight. Sohail didn't just win; he made it to the podium.

Recognition and What's Next

The hard work is finally getting the recognition it deserves. The government officially recognized Kudo in 2018-19, making athletes eligible for sports quota jobs, and Sohail now works with the Mumbai Income Tax Department. More recently, he was felicitated during the 166th Income Tax Day in Mumbai. The honour was presented by none other than the Governor of Maharashtra, C. P. Radhakrishnan, a huge moment for him and his sport.

But he's not resting on his laurels. After a short break, he’s already back in training for the national trials. His next big goal? The Asia Oceania Kudo Championships in Japan this November. "Sir, my next aim is to win gold for India," he says with unwavering focus. He's hopeful that with continued success and more support from the Indian Olympic Association, Kudo could one day make it to the Asian Games and maybe even the Olympics.

Conclusion

Sohail Khan's story is a powerful reminder that champions can emerge from the quietest corners, far from the glare of mainstream sports. His silver medal isn't just a personal victory; it's a historic achievement that has firmly placed India on the global Kudo map. From defying expectations in his hometown to battling the world's best, Sohail has proven that with passion and relentless grit, you can write your own story. He’s not just a fighter; he’s a pioneer, and the future of Indian Kudo looks brighter than ever because of him.