Management and Science University (MSU) had the privilege of catching up with Vishnuvarthan Kannan who recently competed in the 1st Shorin Ryu Open Karate Championship Negeri Melaka 2024.
Currently pursuing Foundation in Law under the Faculty of Business Management and Professional Studies, he dominated the Male Kumite (Senior) category for athletes aged 21 and above, weighing over 75 kg, securing a well-earned gold medal.
In our interview, he shared his journey and the mindset that led him to victory.
When did you first start actively practising karate?
I initially got into karate because I thought it was a fighting martial art. However, as I trained and learned more, I realised that it’s not just about fighting, it is about self-control.
Before karate, there was no real connection between my mind and body. Through karate, I learned to control my emotions, aggression, and movements.
Karate taught me discipline in a way I never expected.
Unlike boxing, where you focus on punches and physical contact, karate is about demonstrating skill and control without hurting your opponent. It's about showing that you have fighting skills but also the ability for restraint.
I’ve competed in about 20 tournaments since 2018. I always won silver and bronze medals, but I kept telling myself that I needed to win gold. Finally, after years of hard work, I achieved my first gold medal.
It was one of the happiest moments of my life because of the effort, sacrifices, and countless hours of training I put in. There were times when I questioned why I wasn’t winning gold despite training so hard. But finally achieving it made everything worth it.
How do you balance being a student and a karate athlete?
This is my first year at MSU. From the start, I contacted Madam Parimala and told her that I was a karate athlete looking for a club. She has been incredibly supportive and encouraging throughout my journey.
Now, after winning my first gold medal, I’m gaining recognition as an athlete, all thanks to MSU. I’ve even been allowed to establish a karate club here, which I’m working on right now.
Who is your idol or inspiration in the world of karate?
On the world stage, my favourite karate athlete is Rafael Aghayev. However, the person who truly inspires me in my karate journey is my coach, Master Mahendran. He was a gold medallist in the 2008 SEA Games and is a Malaysian athlete. Having him as my coach is a dream come true. I don’t even know how to express my gratitude for this opportunity.
He always tells me:
"Vishnu, karate is not just about fighting. You need to use your mind. Stay calm. Think before you act. A strong body alone isn’t enough you need a sharp mind to win."
Beyond just karate, he teaches me valuable life lessons about being a good fighter and how to carry myself as a true martial artist while developing the right mindset as a competitor.
Is anyone else in your family into karate?
Yes, I have twin brothers, and we all share the same mindset of constantly improving ourselves. I consider myself an athlete I go to the gym daily, lift weights, and stay active. My brothers started joining me later, and eventually, they took up karate as well.
We train together, pushing each other in a healthy competition. If I win a medal in one tournament, they challenge themselves to win one in the next. One of my brothers is also my classmate, so we train together daily. We take turns being each other’s sparring partners pushing each other to improve and grow together.
What is your advice for someone interested in karate?
My advice is simple: challenge yourself. Choose something that people say you can’t do because proving them wrong will push you to grow.
This applies not just to sports but to anything in life. Pick your passion, ignore negativity, and work hard for it. When you prove yourself, people will start supporting you. But before that happens, believe in yourself and keep pushing forward.
You know yourself better than anyone else, so go after what you want and make it happen!
Discover More about our passionate Karate enthusiats here!
Management and Science University (MSU) had the privilege of catching up with Vishnuvarthan Kannan who recently competed in the 1st Shorin Ryu Open Karate Championship Negeri Melaka 2024.
Currently pursuing Foundation in Law under the Faculty of Business Management and Professional Studies, he dominated the Male Kumite (Senior) category for athletes aged 21 and above, weighing over 75 kg, securing a well-earned gold medal.
In our interview, he shared his journey and the mindset that led him to victory.
When did you first start actively practising karate?
I initially got into karate because I thought it was a fighting martial art. However, as I trained and learned more, I realised that it’s not just about fighting, it is about self-control.
Before karate, there was no real connection between my mind and body. Through karate, I learned to control my emotions, aggression, and movements.
Karate taught me discipline in a way I never expected.
Unlike boxing, where you focus on punches and physical contact, karate is about demonstrating skill and control without hurting your opponent. It's about showing that you have fighting skills but also the ability for restraint.
I’ve competed in about 20 tournaments since 2018. I always won silver and bronze medals, but I kept telling myself that I needed to win gold. Finally, after years of hard work, I achieved my first gold medal.
It was one of the happiest moments of my life because of the effort, sacrifices, and countless hours of training I put in. There were times when I questioned why I wasn’t winning gold despite training so hard. But finally achieving it made everything worth it.
How do you balance being a student and a karate athlete?
This is my first year at MSU. From the start, I contacted Madam Parimala and told her that I was a karate athlete looking for a club. She has been incredibly supportive and encouraging throughout my journey.
Now, after winning my first gold medal, I’m gaining recognition as an athlete, all thanks to MSU. I’ve even been allowed to establish a karate club here, which I’m working on right now.
Who is your idol or inspiration in the world of karate?
On the world stage, my favourite karate athlete is Rafael Aghayev. However, the person who truly inspires me in my karate journey is my coach, Master Mahendran. He was a gold medallist in the 2008 SEA Games and is a Malaysian athlete. Having him as my coach is a dream come true. I don’t even know how to express my gratitude for this opportunity.
He always tells me:
"Vishnu, karate is not just about fighting. You need to use your mind. Stay calm. Think before you act. A strong body alone isn’t enough you need a sharp mind to win."
Beyond just karate, he teaches me valuable life lessons about being a good fighter and how to carry myself as a true martial artist while developing the right mindset as a competitor.
Is anyone else in your family into karate?
Yes, I have twin brothers, and we all share the same mindset of constantly improving ourselves. I consider myself an athlete I go to the gym daily, lift weights, and stay active. My brothers started joining me later, and eventually, they took up karate as well.
We train together, pushing each other in a healthy competition. If I win a medal in one tournament, they challenge themselves to win one in the next. One of my brothers is also my classmate, so we train together daily. We take turns being each other’s sparring partners pushing each other to improve and grow together.
What is your advice for someone interested in karate?
My advice is simple: challenge yourself. Choose something that people say you can’t do because proving them wrong will push you to grow.
This applies not just to sports but to anything in life. Pick your passion, ignore negativity, and work hard for it. When you prove yourself, people will start supporting you. But before that happens, believe in yourself and keep pushing forward.
You know yourself better than anyone else, so go after what you want and make it happen!
Discover More about our passionate Karate enthusiats here!