Sensei Rakessh Kumar Runwal began his martial arts journey in 1993 (at the age of 13) in Pune, India, training in various karate styles. His passion for Karate led him to follow and teach this traditional art form. Driven by his dedication to karate, he left his corporate job as a Software Engineer at Infosys to pursue his passion.

In 2019, Sensei Rakessh fulfilled his dream of training in Okinawa, Japan, the birthplace of Karate. He received IVth DAN (YONDAN) from Grandmaster Kiichi Nakamoto, a 10th Degree Hanshi of Goju Ryu Karate, and learned from the world's best and most senior masters in Goju Ryu style.

He is one of the very few direct students of Grandmaster Kiichi Nakamoto in India. He continues to train in Goju Ryu Karate and Ufuchiku Kobudo under the guidance of Grandmaster Kiichi Nakamoto and Sensei Takuma Higashi.

Sempai Sahil Potdar began his martial arts journey at the age of 13. He had started his journey with Goju Ryu Karate but later moved to Shorinji Ryu Karate under the same sensei. He also learnt Kyokushin Karate in Pune and Bangalore from esteemed sensei’s. 

As he progressed in his career to currently being a senior Delivery Manager in IT, managing multiple projects across countries, he never left his passion for martial arts, taking effort to continue practicing and learning from various sources. 

After learning and practicing in different styles, he kept getting drawn to Goju Ryu. A conversation with Sensei Rakessh K Runwal convinced him that he had met someone with a similar philosophy and value system, and started training under him at Zendankai Martial Art Academy from 2023. 

With sensei’s training, they travelled to Okinawa in 2024 for advanced training in Okinawan Goju Ryu and Kobudo and Sahil achieved his shodan (Black Belt 1st DAN) there. He continues to learn and teach at Zendankai Martial Art Academy.