A Wise Sensei

A wise 'sensei'- master  nurtures his students to become 'sensei'. He does not seek follower and a permanent student. That is the philosophy of Sensei Ramathas Mutusamy, who has been practicing Karate for the last 3 decades. Born in  Sri Lanka, his road to success certainly a long  rough road from the route of a refugee across the European continent to a well-known and dedicated Karate master in the United Kingdom, UK. Today he has over 1000 students across the UK, Sri Lanka and India under his Goshin Isshin-Ryu Karate Association, GIKA which was found in 2007.

Ramathas Mutusamy, Founder of Goshin Ishin-Ryu Karate Association

Ramathas aims to build character, improve human behaviour and cultivate modesty among younger generation. "In today's world, the younger generations are exposed to too many dangers and wild temptations," says Ramathas. Reports have proven young people can easily drawn into conflicts that end in bloodshed especially knife crime. In the year ending March 2019, there were around 47,100 (selected) offences involving a knife or sharp instrument recorded by police in England and Wales. This is the highest number in the nine-year series (from year ending March 2011) the earliest point for which comparable data are available. In the year ending March 2019, there were 22,041 disposals given for possession of a knife or offensive weapon. Juveniles (aged 10-17) were the offenders in 21% of cases. 


Ramathas believes Karate and other forms of martial arts can help to cultivate discipline and respect among the young and help to become better people, who are less likely to get involved in anti-social behaviour. "One of the most rewarding things to have seen is watching our younger students grow in confidence as well as watching them help each other out as well as trying hard in every class. It's wonderful watch them develop and mould into an excellent and motivated individual.” says Ramathas.

Ragavi Thavayoganathan, Goshin Ishin-Ryu Karate Association

Ragavi Thavayoganathan, 17 years old, has been learning Karate under sensei Ramathas since 2009. She said that her master's class has given her not only an opportunity to learn some new skills, defend herself if she ever find herself in such a situation, but also a great factor to relieve stress, helps her socialise, gain discipline and confidence in speaking in the public. Karate begins and ends with respect. Similarly, Ragavi holds high respect to the skills and values that her master has taught her.

Arathana Murukananthan, Goshin Ishin-Ryu Karate Association

Ragavi's confession is also echoed by Arathana Murukananthan, 18 years old, who has been active since 2012. She said she had learnt to concentrate in one sports and Karate has helped her to grow as a person. She is better in time management, socialising and has proved to be confident leader in her team. Besides, karate has also made her to fly high in her academic achievements.

She said her master's unbiased approach has lead her to be where she is today in the sports that is mainly dominated by males. Many women, she said have proved their credibility in martial arts and one day she hopes to be in the world list too.  

Ramathas can boast from many world achievements including more than 60 open tournaments amongst was 1999 Champion of British Open Series-World Karate Martial Arts (WUMA) . He started to learn Karate in 1989 from a master that he had admired since a small child, Sensei Thangarah. Unfortunatley the civil war in his birth country forced him to leave. However, his determination did not fade away. He continued to learn karate in 1994 in the UK from sensei Morrison, in London. Started the martial art in Shotokan Style from previous 2 masters, Ramathas then became the first member of Ishin-Syu World Karate Association from the UK. He became the disciple of the Great Master Sensei Michael Calandra in 1997. Isshin-Ryū (一心流 Isshin-ryū) is a style of Okinawan Karate founded by Tatsua Shimabuku in 1956. The name means, literally, "one heart method" (as in "wholehearted" or "complete"). 

Each discipline requires slightly different skills and techniques in order to be successful and the committed love towards the philosophy has today lead Ramathas to have found GIKA wholeheartedly.  He hopes GIKA which head office is based in Ilford, Essex can spread its wings to many more Asian countries including Malaysia and aims to see many of his disciples make waves in the international platforms. He emphasised his aim of Karate lies not in the vistory or defeat but in the perfection of the character and mental attitude of his students. 

All GIKA members will understand that the time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself. The eyes must see all sides. The ears must listen in all directions. GIKA follows the 8 codes of Isshin-Ryu and understands their path well. 

(source for knife crime statistics: www.parliament.uk/commons-library | intranet.parliament.uk/commons-library | papers@parliament.uk | @commonslibrary)