Yashpal Singh Kalsi

Yashpal Singh Kalsi (born 23 September 1978) is a martial artist from Delhi. He has been characterised as 'the pioneer of the self-defence industry in India'.

Early life

Yashpal Singh Kalsi was born 23 September 1978 in Delhi to Sikh parents Ram Singh Kalsi and his wife Manjit Kaur. He took up karate at the age of 8 and soon became captain of his school karate team. He is a karate black belt. He received his first black belt in 1996 and since then he has won medals at state, national and International Karate Championships.

Coaching career

Yashpal Singh Kalsi, is founding member of All India Mixed Martial Arts Federation, and as of 2015 was the head of the Delhi branch India Mixed Martial Arts Association.

Singh Kalsi is a WKF certified Karate and Mixed Martial Arts trainer and has students from India, Greece, U.S.A, Chile, Malaysia, South Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, the UK, and many other places. He is also qualified in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. His students have represented India in international tournaments and world championships. Since 2007, he has been chief trainer at Sanshinkan International, a Swedish martial arts school based in Gurgaon, and heads its centres across India. The chain trains both men and women; Singh Kalsi works alongside his wife, Anamika Singh Kalsi.

He is also a MMA judge and senior referee in the Super Fight League.

He has provided training to India's elite force, the Black Cat Commandos, and continuously works with the State Police.

Awards and recognition

Yashpal won a medal for India in the Swedish Open Karate Championship in 2013. He won a gold medal in the US Open Karate Championship in 2016. He won two bronze medals in the US Open Karate Championship in 2017.