Udaipur, Oct 30, 2025 - Who could have imagined that a timid child who once sat quietly in the corner of his classroom would one day grow up to become an international martial arts coach and bring seven gold medals to India? The same boy who once lacked confidence in himself is now an inspiration to millions of youth and women.

This is the story of Shihan Rajkumar Menaria, an international martial arts coach who idolised American actor Bruce Lee as his guru, carved his own identity, and made India proud on the global stage. He was even honoured with the President’s Award by the late former President of India, R Venkataraman.

Undefeated to This Day

Rajkumar is not only an internationally acclaimed coach but also an undefeated All-India Champion who has never lost a single match. He holds a 6th-Degree Black Belt in Goju-Ryu (Japan), a 3rd-Degree Black Belt from the Kudo International Federation (Japan), and a 2nd-Degree Black Belt in Judo (India). He has served as the former president of the Kudo Federation of Rajasthan and former vice-president of the Referee Council, KIFI India. He is also the founder and Director of the Sensei Raj Academy of Self-Defense & Fitness and Virafs Goju University of Martial Arts India.

How the Journey of Struggle Began

According to Rajkumar, he had always heard that “life is a struggle,” but it was only when he lived through it that he truly understood its meaning. His story began in the third Grade, when he was often bullied and beaten by backbenchers in school. That was the moment he decided that one day, he would become strong enough that no one would ever see him as weak again.

Until the eighth Grade, life remained difficult — until one day, he watched Bruce Lee’s film Enter the Dragon, which cost only 15 paise for a ticket. That film changed his life forever. Bruce Lee became his “first guru.”

Rajkumar began training day and night in secret, practicing tirelessly without telling anyone. Eventually, his hard work paid off — he earned his Black Belt from Japan, becoming the first player from Rajasthan to achieve the Goju-Ryu Black Belt. Later, he was selected for the President’s Award in recognition of his excellence.

Campaign to Teach Women Self-Defense

Rajkumar launched a campaign called Swayam Raksham (Self Protection”), through which he took on the mission of teaching self-defence techniques to women and girls. Starting in 2006 from the United States, this campaign has since trained more than 80,000 women and girls in self-defence.

Born in the land of Mewar, Udaipur, Rajkumar currently provides training in Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaipur, Alwar and many other cities across Rajasthan and India.

Brought Seven Gold Medals to India

Rajkumar also serves as an Honorary UAC Commando Instructor for India’s police and security forces. He led India to seven consecutive gold medals, making the nation proud. Under his leadership, Team Kudo Rajasthan created history by becoming All India Kudo Champions for nine consecutive years (2015–2024).

Recognition at National and International Levels

Rajkumar has trained at prestigious institutions such as Boeing Security, Seattle (USA); Okinawan Goju-Ryu Martial Arts, Japan; Kudo International Federation, Japan; and the Judo Federation of India. In addition, he has trained members of the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Delhi Police, ACB Rajasthan, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), NCC and the Rajasthan Women Police Action Team.

Today, Rajkumar is not only a coach but a symbol of inspiration — a man who turned his struggle into his strength and elevated India to new heights on the global martial arts stage.

 Source: Navjyoti Jodhpur