Sensei Suraj Sunil developed an interest in martial arts when hardly 7 years of age and started training from 1993 under Sensei Mani.

After getting his Black Belt in Karate in the year 1999, in 2003, Sensei Suraj participated in the International Kobudo (Weapons) Championship at Okkinawa in Japan. He also trained in weapons under renowned Masters of Karate such as Sensei Shugaro Nakasoto.

Sensei Suraj earned his First International Black Belt in the year 2017 from Japan Karate Shoto Federation (JKS), Tokyo, Japan. In 2019 he was awarded the International Second Degree Black Belt by JKS at its headquarters at Tokyo, Japan. In the same year, he organised along with Sensei Mani an International Seminar in Chennai by Sensei Kanayama of JKS, Japan.

In 2020, he was awarded the Black Belt Godan (5th Degree) by the Fudokan Shotokan Association of India. He co-founded the Traditional Shoto Karate Association of India (Chennai) along with Sensei Mani (Chief Instructor). This is affiliated to the World Fudokan Federation.

He has organised several training camps and seminars along with Sensei Mani on behalf of the Traditional Shoto Karate Association of India and currently runs the Dojo at Maithri Cultural Association, Virugambakkam. He has conducted a series of self-defence training programs to the women employees of L&T, Chennai and has now set up a new dojo in Cochin, Kerala under the aegis of Traditional Shoto Karate Association of Kerala, Kochi.

Sensei Suraj is also trained for nearly 10 years in traditional Indian martial arts like Kalaripayattu. Sensei Suraj Sunil is also the All India Karate Style Chief of Shotokan Advanced Karate International (S.A.K.I) India in affiliation with Grandmaster Sensei Seyed Alaedin Nekoofar.

Sensei Suraj Sunil received his 7th Dan Black Belt from International Karate Advanced Institute in the year 2025.

About Him
He is an International Coach recognized by the World Karate Federation (WKF).
He was born in 1963 in Marand, Iran. Since 1987, he has been part of the Iran National Karate Team, achieving many rewards. In 1995, he was both coach and athlete, leading youth and adult kata teams. Trained by Seyed Jamaleddin Nekoofar, he has lived in Kuwait since 2001, conducting seminars worldwide.

Experiences
- Head Coach of Al Yarmouk Elite Club Kata & Kumite (since 2000, Kuwait).
- National Team Coach – Seniors Kuwait (2000–2019).
- National Team Coach – Junior Iran (1992–2000).

Rewards as an Athlete
- Asian Championships: Silver & Bronze medals in Individual Kata (1991–1999).
- World Championships: Finalist (1992–1994).
- International Cup (Turkey): Gold Medal (1993–1995).
- Multiple 1st place finishes in Kata & Kumite (Italy, 1992–1995).

Main Rewards as a Coach
- Guided athletes to victories in K1 Youth League & Series A.
- Coached medalists in World & Asian Championships.
- Participation at Olympic Games Tokyo 2021.
- Achievements at World Beach Games, Islamic Games, and Arab Clubs.

Since 2005
He has selected and trained athletes for Kuwait National Team, achieving medals in Asian, World, and Arab competitions.

Hanshi Sundaram Mani was born in 1953 and spent his early years in Purusaiwakam, Chennai. He proved to be a skilled football player in school and participated in many inter-school matches until 1970, when he completed his education.

In 1972, he developed an interest in martial arts, especially Karate. His instructor, Ebanezer Sundar of the Indian Army, was a great influence. Martial arts movies also contributed to his interest in Karate. Along with his friends R. Joseph Manoharan and E. Deva Prasad, he began focused training in 1976. He joined a Karate club run by Master Prakash and continued his training under his guidance.

In 1982, Sensei Bonnie Roberts awarded him the Black Belt Shodan, after which Hanshi Mani established his own Karate club and started teaching both children and adults. In 1987, he was awarded the Black Belt Nidan. He also traveled to Sri Lanka (1980–1987) and Japan (2005–2017) to further his training.

Hanshi Mani has over 40 years of teaching experience and has imbibed the teachings of masters like Sensei Bonnie Roberts and Shuseki Shihan Kagawa, passing this knowledge on to his students. As an experienced teacher of Shotokan Karate, he is well known among the Karate fraternity across Tamil Nadu and other states.

Hanshi Mani was awarded the 7th Dan by Soke Dr. Prof. Lija Jorga, 10th Dan, founder and chief of Fudokan Shotokan Karate, World Fudokan Federation, Serbia. He is also part of the Traditional Shoto Karate Association of India, with Sensei Rajeev Sinha, 8th Dan, as the Chairman.