Uma Maheshwar Reddy
Over 8 years of experience in Brazilian Jiujitsu and still actively competing Uma will be heading the Jiujitsu classes at The Dojo
Having trained at Marcelo Garcia Academy during which is considered to be one of the best and toughest rooms in the world, he is looking to bring the same intensity, vibes and atmosphere to The Dojo. His main intention is to be a facilitator instead of a teacher or coach which will enable him to continue growing along with his students/peers. Uma has also represented India in the 2023 Asian Games at Hangzhou China. He was part of the first Indian contingent of Jiujitsu. Though, he din’t manage to medal, he hopes to build the enxt generation of talent to help bring more International medals for India.
Vinayak Shetty
Vinayak Shetty began his journey in Kyokushin Karate in 1997, earning his 1st Dan Black Belt by 2000.
In 2006 and 2007, he attended the Kyokushinkan International Instructors Camp in Fukushima, Japan, successfully grading to 2nd Dan. That same year, he competed in the European Full Contact Karate Championship in Ukraine (Kumite under 80kg).
Alongside his martial arts pursuits, Vinayak earned an MBA in Finance from the University of Birmingham in 2008, graduating with distinction.
With extensive experience in Karate training, he completed three intensive ‘uchi deshi’ camps in Thailand (2016-18) as a live-in student. In 2017, he earned his 3rd Dan Black Belt after passing a rigorous exam, including a gruelling 30-man kumite. His dedication to the art led to his appointment as the official Branch Chief of Kyokushinkan India in 2019.
In 2023, he was promoted to 4th Dan Black Belt in Japan and continues to train closely with Kyokushinkan’s leadership and technical committee to advance the art in India.
Currently, Vinayak teaches three days a week at THE DOJO and looks forward to returning to Japan this November to compete in the Kyokushinkan World Championship.
Rajarshi Ray
Sensei Ray began his martial arts journey in 1993 at his school’s Karate Club in Calcutta, earning his Black Belt in 2003. He later trained in Traditional Karate ( 唐手道Tang Soo Do), receiving his 2nd Dan in 2015 and 3rd Dan in 2020 from the WTSDGF in Seoul, South Korea. Seeking deeper roots in Traditional Karate, he joined JKAWF INDIA, affiliated with the Japan Karate Association (JKA 日本 空手 協会).
He currently heads JKA KARNATAKA, the state body of JKAWF INDIA in Karnataka headquartered in Bangalore. He earned his 2nd Dan from the JKA in 2021 and 3rd Dan in 2024 in Japan, examined by Katsutoshi Shiina Shihan, the Technical Director of the JKA himself. An architect from IIEST and a top-ranking M.Des graduate from IIT Bombay, Sensei Ray is a Product Designer, mentor, and visiting faculty. Currently, he heads the Design team at a fast-growing startup in Bangalore. His passions also include Japanese culture and animal welfare.
Ray began his martial arts journey as a young child in 1993 at his school’s karate club in Calcutta from where he obtained his Black Belt in 2013.
Throughout the years, Sensei Ray expanded his expertise by training in Korean Traditional Karate, specifically Tang Soo Do (唐手道), earning his 2nd Dan in 2015. His work often took him across various cities in India, allowing him to train at different dojos whenever he had the opportunity. In 2020, he obtained his 3rd Dan from the World Tang Soo Do General Federation: Moo Duk Kwan in Seoul, South Korea. In his quest to reconnect with the roots of Traditional Karate that originated in Okinawa and later developed in mainland Japan by master Gichin Funakoshi, known as the father of Karate-Do and founder of the Japan Karate Association (JKA 日本 空手 協会); Sensei Ray joined JKAWF INDIA (Indian branch of the said JKA with its headquarters in Tokyo). </ Currently Sensei Ray heads the JKA KARNATAKA, the state body of JKAWF INDIA in Karnataka headquartered in Bangalore. By 2021, he had achieved his 2nd Dan from the JKA, and obtained his 3rd Dan in 2024 from the Japan Karate Association, Japan examined by Katsutoshi Shiina Shihan the Technical Director of the JKA himself. Academically, Sensei Ray is a Graduate Architect from IIEST and later earned his Master of Design from IIT Bombay, finishing at the top of his class. Professionally, he is a Product Designer, a mentor, and a visiting faculty member for design at various institutes across India.
Currently, he leads the Design team at a growth-stage startup in Bangalore. In addition to his diverse interests in design, Sensei Ray is passionate about Japanese culture and also actively dedicates time to care for community animals.
Currently Sensei Ray heads the JKA KARNATAKA, the state body of JKAWF INDIA in Karnataka headquartered in Bangalore. By 2021, he had achieved his 2nd Dan from the JKA, and obtained his 3rd Dan in 2024 from the Japan Karate Association, Japan examined by Katsutoshi Shiina Shihan the Technical Director of the JKA himself. Academically, Sensei Ray is a Graduate Architect from IIEST and later earned his Master of Design from IIT Bombay, finishing at the top of his class. Professionally, he is a Product Designer, a mentor, and a visiting faculty member for design at various institutes across India. Currently, he leads the Design team at a growth-stage startup in Bangalore. In addition to his diverse interests in design, Sensei Ray is passionate about Japanese culture and also actively dedicates time to care for community animals.
Uma Maheshwar Reddy
Having trained at Marcelo Garcia Academy during which is considered to be one of the best and toughest rooms in the world, he is looking to bring the same intensity, vibes and atmosphere to The Dojo. His main intention is to be a facilitator instead of a teacher or coach which will enable him to continue growing along with his students/peers. Uma has also represented India in the 2023 Asian Games at Hangzhou China. He was part of the first Indian contingent of Jiujitsu. Though, he din’t manage to medal, he hopes to build the enxt generation of talent to help bring more International medals for India.
Vinayak Shetty
In 2006 and 2007, he attended the Kyokushinkan International Instructors Camp in Fukushima, Japan, successfully grading to 2nd Dan. That same year, he competed in the European Full Contact Karate Championship in Ukraine (Kumite under 80kg).
Alongside his martial arts pursuits, Vinayak earned an MBA in Finance from the University of Birmingham in 2008, graduating with distinction.
With extensive experience in Karate training, he completed three intensive ‘uchi deshi’ camps in Thailand (2016-18) as a live-in student. In 2017, he earned his 3rd Dan Black Belt after passing a rigorous exam, including a gruelling 30-man kumite. His dedication to the art led to his appointment as the official Branch Chief of Kyokushinkan India in 2019.
In 2023, he was promoted to 4th Dan Black Belt in Japan and continues to train closely with Kyokushinkan’s leadership and technical committee to advance the art in India.
Currently, Vinayak teaches three days a week at THE DOJO and looks forward to returning to Japan this November to compete in the Kyokushinkan World Championship.
Rajarshi Ray
Ray began his martial arts journey as a young child in 1993 at his school’s karate club in Calcutta from where he obtained his Black Belt in 2013.
Throughout the years, Sensei Ray expanded his expertise by training in Korean Traditional Karate, specifically Tang Soo Do (唐手道), earning his 2nd Dan in 2015. His work often took him across various cities in India, allowing him to train at different dojos whenever he had the opportunity. In 2020, he obtained his 3rd Dan from the World Tang Soo Do General Federation: Moo Duk Kwan in Seoul, South Korea. In his quest to reconnect with the roots of Traditional Karate that originated in Okinawa and later developed in mainland Japan by master Gichin Funakoshi, known as the father of Karate-Do and founder of the Japan Karate Association (JKA 日本 空手 協会); Sensei Ray joined JKAWF INDIA (Indian branch of the said JKA with its headquarters in Tokyo). </ Currently Sensei Ray heads the JKA KARNATAKA, the state body of JKAWF INDIA in Karnataka headquartered in Bangalore. By 2021, he had achieved his 2nd Dan from the JKA, and obtained his 3rd Dan in 2024 from the Japan Karate Association, Japan examined by Katsutoshi Shiina Shihan the Technical Director of the JKA himself. Academically, Sensei Ray is a Graduate Architect from IIEST and later earned his Master of Design from IIT Bombay, finishing at the top of his class. Professionally, he is a Product Designer, a mentor, and a visiting faculty member for design at various institutes across India.
Currently, he leads the Design team at a growth-stage startup in Bangalore. In addition to his diverse interests in design, Sensei Ray is passionate about Japanese culture and also actively dedicates time to care for community animals. Currently Sensei Ray heads the JKA KARNATAKA, the state body of JKAWF INDIA in Karnataka headquartered in Bangalore. By 2021, he had achieved his 2nd Dan from the JKA, and obtained his 3rd Dan in 2024 from the Japan Karate Association, Japan examined by Katsutoshi Shiina Shihan the Technical Director of the JKA himself. Academically, Sensei Ray is a Graduate Architect from IIEST and later earned his Master of Design from IIT Bombay, finishing at the top of his class. Professionally, he is a Product Designer, a mentor, and a visiting faculty member for design at various institutes across India. Currently, he leads the Design team at a growth-stage startup in Bangalore. In addition to his diverse interests in design, Sensei Ray is passionate about Japanese culture and also actively dedicates time to care for community animals.