Shihan Shivaji Ganguly – 7th Dan, Kyokushin Karate
Sosai Masutatsu Oyama’s Branch Chief
Kyokushin Karate came to India in 1977 and Shihan Shivaji Ganguly an avid football player and eminent sportsman was drawn towards the art because of its’ hard and competitive nature. In 1982 Shihan Ganguly completed his shodan and won the 1st runners up trophy in Asian Championship in Singapore which highlighted India in the map of Kyokushin karate.
His grit and NEVER GIVE UP attitude was immediately recognized by Sosai Masutatsu Oyama and he was invited to train under SOSAI directly at Kyokushin Kai Kan, World Headquarters (Honbu) in Tokyo Japan. Shihan’s dedication towards the art and eagerness to learn new techniques made him one of Sosai’s Favourite student and also one of the most successful Uchi-Deshi (Resident Student) during his time. He finished his Ni-Dan (2nd Degree Black Belt) under the supervision of Sosai himself and was one of the very few in the world to have been allowed by Sosai to complete his San-Dan (3rd Degree Black Belt) within the next 10 months. In both the gradation he had to fight 20 and 30 world standard fighters respectively.
Shihan Shivaji Ganguly, 7th Dan Black Belt, Kyokushin Karate, Sosai Mas Oyama’s Branch Chief
Shihan Ganguly is a pioneer and the father figure of Kyokushin Karate in India and has been instrumental in spreading the art all across India. In 1986 he designed and hosted OYAMA CUP, designed after the All-Japan Tournament, in India. This was the first time a tournament of this grand scale was organized. It was an Open To All (Any Style) bare knuckled, full contact, stand up kumite tournament. And Kyoukushin Kai Kan was established strongly and thoroughly post this tournament in India. 100s of fighters participated and came from all corners of India. But Kyokushin Prevailed and the First Grand Champion of an Open To All categories were from His own dojo.
The Oyama Cup 1988 was now one of the most sort after tournament and the participation grew in multiple folds from all across India. This was a very tough tournament and again Kyokushin proved it’s mantle and HQ dojo took the top three positions.
Seeing the Success of these above-mentioned tournaments, Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, agreed to become the Chief Guest of 1991 tournament and again Kyoukushin Became the champion. Sosai was impressed by the magnificence of the organization and Shihan Ganguly’s dedication to Kyokushin Karate, Shihan was awarded the 5th Dan in 1991 at the Ugawara Camp in Japan. He is the Only Indian to have received his Go-Dan (5th Degree Black Belt) from Sosai and also the only Indian to have been appointed the Branch Chief of India by Sosai. Shihan Ganguly’s dedication towards training has made many champions in domestic as well as International tournaments.
Kyokushin India United, Humbly, Bows to Shihan Shivaji Ganguly for his dedication towards Kyokushin Karate. 4 Board Members of KIU are direct students of Shihan Shivaji Ganguly. Sensei Raja Mookherjee – 1983 batch of Shihan, Sensei Kaustav Nath – 1985 batch of Shihan, Sensei Dipankar Bhattacharya – 1989 batch of Shihan and Sampai Sumita Mukherjee Nath – 1993 batch of Shihan.
Sensei Raja Mookherjee and Sensei Kaustav Nath had trained extensively for many years under Shihan Shivaji Ganguly and have received their San-Dan and Shodan under Shihan’s Guidance Respectively.
Kyokushin India United board members are forever grateful to Shihan Shivaji Ganguly for his mentorship, training and pushing the senseis hard towards perfection and most importantly inculcating the BUDO SPIRIT in his trainees.