All India Seishinkai Shitoryu Karate Do Federation Breaks Age Barriers at Black Belt Ceremony, Honours Senior Citizens and Women Karatekas

Kolkata, Jan 15: Challenging age-related stereotypes and redefining the boundaries of martial arts, the All India Seishinkai Shitoryu Karate Do Federation organised a prestigious Black Belt Award Ceremony on Sunday, January 11, celebrating karate as a lifelong discipline that transcends age and gender.
In a powerful display of dedication and perseverance, the federation honoured several senior citizens, including women above 60 years of age, by awarding them black belts — a rare and inspiring sight that underscored the belief that karate is not restricted to youth alone. The ceremony witnessed the participation of over 500 practitioners, including more than 200 women and numerous senior karatekas, reflecting the growing importance of karate in today’s society and its acceptance as a holistic path to physical and mental well-being.
Speaking on the occasion, Hanshi Premjit Sen said, “Karate truly has no age limit. It is not about how young or strong you are, but about discipline, consistency, and the will to improve oneself. Seeing senior citizens—especially women above 60—earning their black belts proves that karate is a lifelong journey. For older practitioners, karate helps maintain physical fitness, balance, flexibility, and mental alertness, while also instilling confidence and a renewed sense of purpose. When seniors train alongside younger generations, it creates mutual respect, motivation, and a powerful learning environment. Martial arts offer dignity, strength, and self-belief at every stage of life.”
The event strongly highlighted the idea that karate is a lifelong journey, offering benefits such as improved fitness, balance, flexibility, mental alertness, and self-confidence for practitioners of all ages. The participation of senior citizens training alongside younger generations sent a powerful message of inclusivity, mutual respect, and inspiration.
A major focus of the ceremony was women’s empowerment through karate. The federation emphasised martial arts as a vital tool for self-defence, confidence-building, self-reliance, and mental resilience. In an era where personal safety and empowerment are increasingly important, the event reinforced the role of karate in shaping confident, independent, and fearless individuals.
Adding to the impact of the programme was a special masterclass on practical self-defence for women, conducted by renowned martial arts expert Hanshi Premjit Sen, Referee and Judge, World Karate Federation and Asian Karate Federation. The session focused on real-life applications of karate techniques aimed at enhancing personal safety, awareness, and confidence.
The ceremony concluded with a strong reaffirmation of the federation’s mission to take karate beyond age barriers, promoting inclusivity, empowerment, and holistic development. By recognising practitioners across generations, the All India Seishinkai Shitoryu Karate Do Federation continues to set an inspiring example of how martial arts can transform lives — at any age.









