With swift but powerful hits and kicks, sophomore Shravan Karthikeyan combines precision and skill on his karate journey.
Karthikeyan first began karate at eight years old while seeking an opportunity to learn an important skill with his father. After realizing he enjoyed karate, he started attending practice sessions weekly, which soon became daily sessions as his passion and commitment further grew. Subsequently, he would achieve significant accomplishments, such as being selected for the Juniors National USA Team and playing at other phenomenal competitions.
To Karthikeyan, karate utilizes the mind as much as it utilizes physical skill. In and out the dojo, being respectful, perseverent, humble, resilient and patient is crucial to being a martial artist. Requiring both physical training and the importance of character and identity growth is the key to success.
“Karate requires a large amount of responsibility and requires you to be a leader,” Karthikeyan said. “Being in karate helps me to be a better person around others and a stronger leader.”
Working alongside teammates is vital to improvement, whether it is sparring or drills. During these years of training, he has developed strong relationships and credits his teammates for his success.
“My relationship with my teammates is really good since I train with them every day. Specifically, I have one teammate who’s always helping me out. He’s always training with me every day after school,” Karthikeyan said.
On the mats, there are countless opportunities for training and learning. Regardless if it is training individually with his coach, teammates or independently, Karthikeyan trains six times a week. Throughout the week, he participates in weight training, plyometrics and sparring practice. Sparring is used to simulate and mock a combat fight, but to prepare for these fights, plyometrics and weight training are essential towards explosivity, mobility and pure strength.
His coach has also been a key motivator for Karthikeyan, guiding and pushing him to be a stronger athlete.
“He’s really friendly,” Karthikeyan said. “I have a great relationship and he’s always looking to make me better.”
The commitment to practice and training is crucial for the competitions that Karthikeyan attends. He regularly attends tournaments, even competitions as far as São Paulo, Brazil including competitive events such as the US Open, Junior International Cup, National Championships, Junior Team Trials and numerous other close-by tournaments within California. At the National Championships, he earned 3 silver medals in nationals, allowing him to be selected for the Juniors National USA Team.
Karthikeyan attributes his karate journey to his father, who has played a massive role throughout his career. By constantly showing up to tournaments, games and practices to cheer for him, his father has added fuel to Karthikeyan’s passion for karate. Said Karthikeyan, “He’s always there for me, pushing me forward to be better.”
Karthikeyan’s dedication with karate strengths turned him into a more skilled martial artist. He deepened his bonds with his teammates, coach and father along the way as they embraced and challenged him to become better. These triumphs and unbreakable bonds enhance his precision and skill to strengthen his karate journey.
