‘Every Fighter Has a Story’- Sohail Khan Opens Up In An Exclusive Interview News24 –
The sound of fists meeting pads echoes through a small training hall in Madhya Pradesh. Sweat drips, knuckles tighten, and every movement carries intent. In the middle of this controlled chaos stands Sohail Khan—focused, unshaken, and fiercely determined. To most of India, he’s known as the ‘Golden Boy of MP.’ To the global martial arts community, he’s a name that’s becoming harder to ignore.
In 2025, at just 22, Sohail made history by winning the silver medal at the Senior Kudo World Cup in Bulgaria—the first Indian ever to reach the podium at that level. Now, with a ticket to the 4th Kudo Asian Championship in November, he’s aiming for the top spot. But the journey here wasn’t paved with glory—it was carved with grit.
The Early Fight
Sohail’s first steps into martial arts weren’t in Kudo. As a boy, he dabbled in karate, taekwondo, wushu, and kickboxing—and didn’t just participate, he dominated, becoming a national medalist in each. But behind the medals, there was frustration.
“Sports politics and limitations kept holding me back,” he recalls. “I needed something that brought everything together—striking, grappling, intensity. Kudo gave me that. It gave me a new passion and purpose.”
The choice was more than professional. It was personal. His biggest inspiration? His mother. “Her sacrifices and struggles… she’s the reason I never gave up,” Sohail says, his voice carrying both gratitude and resolve.
Rising Against The Odds
From a modest background, Sohail’s climb wasn’t smooth. Training often meant sacrifices—sometimes meals, sometimes rest, sometimes the social life a young man might expect.
Yet, those sacrifices built results:
2017 – Junior Kudo World Champion, India (Gold)
2023 – Senior Kudo World Championship, Tokyo – Quarterfinalist
2024 – Euro-Asian Cup, Armenia (Bronze)
2025 – Senior Kudo World Cup, Bulgaria (Silver)
His 2025 campaign was a rollercoaster of triumphs: defeating Pakistan in Round 1, Bulgaria in the quarters, and Lithuania in the semis before facing France in the final.
What Makes A Champion
When asked about his proudest moments, Sohail doesn’t list medals—he talks about lessons.
“Kudo is not just a sport. It’s a fusion of martial arts—striking, grappling, jujutsu, and more. You have to prepare every part of yourself—technique, strength, mindset, timing. Then, when you step into the ring, you trust your training and stay calm under pressure.”
For Sohail, hard work alone is not the magic formula. “Everyone works hard,” he says. “The difference is sacrifice. Can you train when you’re tired? Can you fight through pain? Can you focus when others are out partying? That’s where champions are made in the moments no one sees.”
Eyes On The Future
With his silver medal still fresh, Sohail is already back in training for the Asian Championship. Every punch and throw is another step towards his dream—putting Indian Kudo on the global map.
He credits Dr. Mohammad Aijaz Khan as a guiding force in his journey. “Discipline and belief—that’s what he’s given me,” Sohail says.
And as he tightens his belt and steps onto the mat once more, it’s clear that for Sohail Khan, this isn’t just about winning matches. It’s about proving that with courage, sacrifice, and relentless work, even a boy from the heart of Madhya Pradesh can stand tall on the world stage.