55 years – Karate anniversary of Shihan Athula Minithanthri

Today on 31 January 2025, Shihan Athula Minithantri celebrates a very special milestone. For the past 55 years, he has dedicated himself body and soul to the martial art of karate. He holds the 8th Dan and currently teaches over 250 students in his dojos six days a week.

It all began as a ten-year-old boy in Sri Lanka who was determined to learn this sport with the support of his mother. But unfortunately, fate was not kind to him and he had to cope with the death of his mother during his early days in karate. But as difficult as it was for him to attend karate lessons regularly, he never gave up and it has been his passion ever since.

Karate Do means the way of the empty hand. It is fought without weapons, but with hands only. But the actual aim is not just to perfect the fight, but to develop the mind and personality. It is a sport for life and spirit. It teaches respect, discipline and courage.

All of these values have been taught by Shihan Athula to his students for over four decades. He began teaching in his home country at a young age. In addition to his passion as a trainer, he also actively participated in national and international tournaments and was, among other things, five-time kata and kumite champion in Sri Lanka and winner of the Shito-Ryu World Cup in the kumite category.

Shihan Athula founded his own association in Germany, the Japan Karate-Do Dhammika-Ha Shitoryu Kai. To date, numerous dojos from a total of twelve countries have joined his association.

For his students, he is more than just a karate instructor. He is their advisor and friend. Many of his adult students have been coming to his classes since they were children.

All students, parents, friends and members of the Dhammika family wish Shihan Athula Minithanthri ‘Congratulations’ on his 55th anniversary.