Mukut Sarma/Guwahati

Shakil Injam, who received advanced martial arts training in China, is an invited trainer for the Special Forces of the Indian Army. He teaches innovative techniques to the country's armed forces to give them a cutting edge in a fight without weapons along the India-China border.

The 28-year-old fighter is a national-level bodybuilder, strength lifter, strength and conditioning coach, certified sports nutritionist, and Black Belt in several disciplines of martial arts (MA).

Born into a family associated with education and literature, Shakil was a gifted student. He. His father, Ismail Hussain, a prominent writer and educator, wanted to make his only child a Sanskrit professor.

Shakil Injam in China

“My father wanted to make me a professor of Sanskrit. Similarly, my mother wanted to join the administrative service. I did perform well in my academic career. I passed my HSLC or Matric exam with a Distinction from Assam Jatiya Bidyalay. After the HSLC exam result, I was admitted to Srimanta Sankar Academy for a higher secondary or Plus II course in humanities.

“I passed Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Dispur College. In 2015, I completed my Master's Degree in English from the University of Gauhati University. As my parents were involved in arts and culture, they enrolled me in Satriya dance and music training when I was young. But all these things did not excite and inspire me. I aimed to do something exceptional to make my life more enjoyable and exciting. Eventually, I started receiving training in martial arts,' said Shakeel in an exclusive interview with Awaz-The Voice.

After training in Kung Fu, Karate, Taekwondo, Wushu, Gymnastics, Muay Thai, and Kickboxing for about 6 years in Assam, Shakeel finally decided to move to Henan Province, China in 2016 for further training. In China Shakeel received training for three months at Yuntaishan International Wushu School, a leading Chinese Wushu academy. The academy is also known as the Chinese Army School.

"I am always interested in learning new martial arts techniques. I also received training in wrestling in Gurgaon, and Haryana, after coming from China. I spent three months in Kerala to learn the ancient martial art of Kalaripayattu. I had participated in many national-level martial art competitions and won prizes," said Shakil Inzam. He is currently training many youngsters at Legacy Combat MMA & Fitness in Chandmari, Guwahati.

Shakil Injam (Third from left) training in a Gymnasium

Shakil is also a national-level bodybuilder who has shown rare talent in martial arts. He finished fifth in the Junior Mr. India competition. Shakil's achievements in various fields of sports attracted the attention of the Indian Army. They invited the talented martial artist from Assam to train the personnel of the Special Forces. He has already undertaken many courses for the soldiers of various regiments of the Indian Army for their posting on the India- China border.

It is pertinent to mention here that under an agreement, the troops of India and China are not supposed to carry or use firearms against each other on the border. This was agreed upon by the two countries given their understanding that boundary is disputed in many places and both are trying to resolve it.

"I have been involved with some groups of the Indian Army since 2019. They are called Special Forces. I train the Special Forces soldiers in unarmed combat. Every year for about a month I go to army camps and the soldiers are unarmed I teach fighting techniques. Every time the training camps are held in different places. I am proud to serve my motherland in this way,” Shakil said.

Shakil said that martial arts can turn the younger generation away from social ills like drugs or drug abuse. He said martial arts is an addiction and whoever makes it a part of life is never like drugs or drug abuse can't work.

ALSO READ: Everester Hedayat Ali carried a whiff of Assam to Antarctica peak

"Many perceive that martial arts are a violent sport. But it is not. It requires a lot of patience, restraint, and discipline. People who learn this art never go to fight unnecessarily on the streets There is a lot to learn for fighting in the professional field. You cannot win a fight here with your body strength," Shakil said.