Jugeshwar Kshetrimayum :: From small-town dreamer to martial arts champ, mentor

Rajachandra Mutum *

Jugeshwar Kshetrimayum :: Pix - Chronicle News Service / Rajachandra Mutum

Born in Kakching, a small town in the southern valley of Manipur, Jugeshwar Kshetrimayum's journey from a young martial arts enthusiast to an internationally acclaimed coach and mentor is a story of resilience, hard work, and an unwavering Commitment to his students.

Jugeshwar, the sixth child of seven siblings born to Kshetrimayum Ibomcha Singh and Keinaton, was introduced to martial arts at a tender age. He was trained in multiple disciplines, including Kung-Fu, Wushu, Taekwondo, Kickboxing, and the indigenous Thang-Ta. His early inspirations were Sharat and Maheshwari from Kakching Khunyai Leikai, and Jiten from Kakching Wairi, who played key roles in shaping his career.

Furthermore, he was introduced to the international curriculum, established links with international organisations, and promoted the global martial arts platform under the guidance of Grand master Huang Chien-Liang, chairman of The World Kuo Shu Federation in the USA.

Additionally, Grandmaster Le Kim Hao Su from Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, the founder & president of Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts, played a significant role in teaching and mentoring Jugeshwar.

Determined to give back to his community, Jugeshwar founded the New Kung-Fu Training School (NKTS) in Kakching in 2000.Despite limited resources, he worked tirelessly to provide training opportunities for underprivileged youth, charging a nominal admission fee of just Rs 20.Over the years, NKTS produced more than 280 gold medallists in national and international competitions, many of whom competed in the Asian Games and World Championships.

In 2005, personal circumstances led Jugeshwar to leave Manipur for Bangalore, where he joined Indus International School as a martial arts instructor.

While working full-time, he pursued advanced training at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) and competed internationally with his performances earning him gold medals in tournaments in Macau, China, Malaysia, and Zhengzhou, China, making him a role model for aspiring martial artistes. His dedication did not go unnoticed.

In 2011, Jugeshwar was appointed as India's team coach for the World Muay Thai Championship in Uzbekistan, led the national team at the 2012 International Traditional Wushu Championship in Singapore, the 2015 International Wushu Championship in Hong Kong, and the VIP Kung-Fu Cup at the 2017 World Martial Arts Council Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

Most recently, he served as India's coach at the International Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts Festival in 2023 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. From 2005 to 2016, he remained a martial arts instructor at Indus International School before receiving an invitation to participate in the prestigious Shaolin Temple Martial Arts Festival in Henan, China.

As the first Manipuri athlete to achieve this honour, his reputation soared on the global stage. However, his ultimate dream was to establish own martial arts academy, a goal that required immense financial resources. Determined to make his vision a reality, Jugeshwar began teaching in apartment communities around Bangalore's Sarjapur Road.

With savings from his classes, he launched Warrior Kung-Fu Academy in 2020.His relentless efforts paid off, as the academy quickly grew to 200 students within two years, leading to the establishment of 10 additional branches. In 2015, he received the Asian Leadership Award in New Delhi, presented by Universal Media Events.

In 2025, he was honoured with the Delhi Ratna Award by the International Human Rights Ambassadors Organisation. The same year, he was awarded the Global Iconic Excellence Award in Bangalore by Pragathi Media Events and the Global Excellence in Leadership Award by The International Awards Forum USA in New Delhi.

His global influence was further acknowledged when he was honoured at the 13th World Leaders Summit at University of Oxford, UK, by Global Empire Events Ltd. Despite his success in Bangalore, Jugeshwar remained deeply connected to his roots.

With determination and perseverance, he established the National Head Branch of Warrior Kung-Fu Academy and the headquarters of the India Kuo Shu Federation in his hometown Kakching. His efforts have created a platform for young martial artistes in Manipur, allowing them to receive world-class training and compete on an international level.

Jugeshwar Kshetrimayum's story is a testimony to hard work, perseverance, and an unyielding belief in the power of martial arts to transform lives. His journey from a small town in Manipur to the global stage serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and a reminder that dedication and passion can break barriers and create lasting impact.