Uday Zambaulikar lives his dream through the eyes of hisstudents. Being a Sandan (3rd degree black belt) in Shotokan (JKA) and thechief instructor of Uday School of Martial Arts, his training batch varies fromchildren and grown-ups to the likes of Indian National Defence forces. Despitedevoting 28 years of his life to a sport he loves, his shy personality has kepthim away from the limelight that he rightfully deserves. The percentage ofsuccess of his students at tournaments is testimony to his excellence.
After starting his career in 1984 and acquiring the blackbelt, Uday’s love for karate coupled with sheer hardwork and determination sawhim win gold at the national games, five consecutive times. But he was a victimof financial constraint, and could not fully fulfil his ambitions. Udayrecollects an important phase in his life which he feels made a difference, “Iwanted to participate in international tournaments to gain exposure, andobserve fighters from different countries. However, when the selections were inprogress in 1999, I had to back out due to my inability to fund my dream.” Thefollowing year saw his friends provide him with financial assistance which Udayrepaid by securing the eighth place at the International Karate Championship inBudapest, Hungary. He then went on to win the gold medal at InternationalKarate Championship held in the USA, only to be re-invited by the US Karate Federationin the capacity of a trainer. After noticing a significant rise in the successof his students, the federation offered him an opportunity to continue for thenext 10 years which Uday politely refused. After training students for over twoyears in New Jersey, Uday’s love for his motherland brought him back and hestarted moulding champions in Goa.
Uday recollects, “Repaying the debts of my friends andfamily was quite a difficult task. Also, a poor response from the governmentconvinced me to stop participating in tournaments and continue with my trainingclasses. However, I’m happy to see the government support enthusiasticchildren.”
Uday feels very few kids wish to apply themselves towardshard work, and they tend to slip into depression if they don’t win. Uday says,“It takes rigorous practice and hard work for six-eight hours a day to make achampion. When at tournaments, I ask my students not to get intimidated by theopponent but to focus. The self confidence that I instil in them has proven tobe effective.”
