Divya Delhi: Fists hitting pads resonate in a small Madhya Pradesh training hall. Sohail Khan is calm, focused, and determined in the middle. He's the Golden Boy of MP and a rising martial artist worldwide. Sohail, 22, became the first Indian to win silver at the Senior Kudo World Cup in Bulgaria in 2025. He's training for the 4th Kudo Asian Championship in November to win gold.

The Beginning
Sohail won national medals in karate, taekwondo, wushu, and kickboxing from an early age. So he wanted a sport with striking, grappling, and ferocity. Kudo gave him that, as well as a newfound purpose. His mother's sacrifices motivated him to persevere through difficult times.

Triumphing Over Obstacles
Sohail, from a modest upbringing, sacrificed food, relaxation, and social life to train. His dedication yielded constant results:

2017: Junior Kudo World Gold Champion
Tokyo 2023 Senior Kudo World Championship (Quarterfinalist)
2024 Euro-Asian Cup, Armenia (Bronze)
Bulgaria, 2025 Senior Kudo World Cup (Silver)
In 2025, he overcame Pakistan, Bulgaria, and Lithuania before losing to France.

Champion's Mindset
“Kudo is more than a sport,” Sohail explains. Success requires a combination of abilities and commitment. Can fatigued people train? Fight pain? Focus while others party? There, champions are made.”