From Scars to Stars: My Struggle in Indian Sports and Shihan Nandy’s Transformative Mentorship

By Saptarshi Mukherjee

As the founder of Invictus Sportz, my path through India’s sports landscape has been a crucible of heartbreak and triumph, scarred by physical ailments and systemic betrayals. Yet, it was the genius of Shihan Nandy, a Shotokan Karate luminary, that elevated me beyond my limitations, guiding me to the world stage and igniting my mission to empower others. This is my story—a beacon of resilience, mentorship, and a call to unshackle the mental chains binding today’s youth, as revealed by the digital world’s stark realities.

A Battle Against Odds

Born with asthma, spina bifida, and a disc bulge, my body was an unlikely canvas for martial arts mastery. In India, where sports often succumb to politics and neglect, my pursuit of karate was an act of defiance. My zeal to uplift others led me to Biswajit, a 100-meter sprinter I met in 2019 while teaching spoken English. I funded his training at Rabindra Sarovar Stadium Academy, only to be betrayed when the academy disowned him. At Yuva Bharati Krirangan, he was forced into a 900-meter race, crushing his sprinting dreams. “In a state so backward in athletics, in Yuva Bharati Stadium, I saw the murder of an athlete's dream by West Bengal hypocrites,” I declared, my heart seared by injustice.

In 2023, I sought solace in Dehradun, joining a football academy. My disciplined methods faced resistance, despite securing Byju’s sponsorship for a Rs. 30,000 tournament and arranging trials for a young player with clubs like East Bengal and Food Corporation of India. I even sourced Rs. 6,840 monthly for his nutrition. Yet, he skipped the final trial, accusing me of exploiting his talent. These wounds birthed Invictus Sportz in November 2023, a vow to shield athletes from deceit and champion their dreams.

Shihan Nandy: The Architect of My Ascent

Amid these storms, Shihan Nandy, trained under luminaries like Abe, Yahara, and Kagawa, became my guiding star. He saw not my ailments but my resolve. With masterful ingenuity, Shihan Nandy crafted training that turned weaknesses into strengths. My asthma demanded breath control; he wove it into precise kata. My spina bifida and disc bulge required caution; he designed drills to fortify my core, fostering resilience over recklessness. His faith in me was unyielding, a beacon through self-doubt.

Under Shihan Nandy’s tutelage, I secured bronze medals at the IKA World Championship in Buenos Aires (2007) and JSKA World Championship in Manchester (2008), earning my place in the AIBSKA - JSKA Hall of Fame. In 2023, our paths converged again in Dehradun, where I began coaching at ONGC North Colony. My students—Bompu Karlo, Shreya Gogoi, and Sri Kumaran.S—embodied my journey’s echo. Bompu, from Takxo, Arunachal Pradesh, clinched a Gold and Bronze at the FSKA World Cup 2024, her AIBSKA - JSKA Nationals performance lauded in Times of India. Shreya, Dibrugarh’s prodigy, earned a Silver and Bronze at FSKA, defeating a purple belt four kyus above her. Sri Kumaran.S, hailing from Edangimangalam, Tamil Nadu, won a Gold in Kata and Bronze in Kumite at FSKA, alongside a Silver in Kata at AIBSKA - JSKA Nationals. A Class IX student, Sri’s brilliance extends to academics, securing first place all-India in NASA’s Space Settlement Project for asteroid mining. Together, they qualified for the JSKA World Championships 2025, a testament to Shihan Nandy’s enduring influence. His genius didn’t erase my limitations—it taught me to transcend them, a legacy I pass to my students.

The Mental Chains of Today’s Youth

My physical trials pale against the mental barriers ensnaring young athletes, magnified by the digital age. Online platforms, meant to inspire, often wound. A young Delhi boxer posted a sparring video on Instagram, earning 5,000 views but vicious comments: “Too slow for pros,” “Stick to street fights.” He abandoned his gym, haunted by faceless critics. On X, a teenage swimmer’s minor misstep at a local meet went viral, with trolls branding her a “flop.” She withdrew from nationals, her spirit broken.

A Legacy Forged in Hope

My odyssey through India’s sports arena—marred by betrayal, bureaucracy, and personal trials—has only fortified my resolve. Shihan Nandy didn’t merely coach me; he sculpted a champion from fragility, showing me that true strength lies in surpassing barriers. Through Invictus Sportz, I channel this wisdom, securing sponsorships for footballers, mentoring martial artists, and building a future where talent reigns. My students’ FSKA 2024 haul—2 Gold, 1 Silver, 3 Bronze—heralds this vision, with Bompu, Shreya, and Sri poised to shine in Japan 2025.

With AIBSKA - JSKA’s partnership, we preserve karate’s soul while uplifting youth. Shihan Nandy’s genius lit my path to the world stage; now, I pave it for others. To every child battling doubt, online or within, my story—etched in sweat, scars, and the triumphs of my students—proves one truth: with the right mentor, no limit is final, and every dream can conquer the stars.