Panaji: Arjun Parshuram Kadam of Goa has brought pride to the state by successfully clearing the National Diploma in Officiating (NDIO) Examination conducted by the Judo Federation of India (JFI) from January 21 to 26, 2026, in Kolkata.
With this achievement, Kadam has secured JFI–A status, officially qualifying as a National Level Judo Referee. The NDIO examination is regarded as one of the most rigorous officiating certifications in the sport, assessing candidates on their understanding of judo rules, technical application, and on-mat decision-making under competitive conditions.
Expressing his happiness, Kadam credited his success to Mir Dias, Judo Coach at the Sports Authority of Goa, acknowledging his continuous guidance, technical support, and motivation throughout his journey in judo and officiating.
The achievement marks a significant milestone for the Goan sports fraternity and is expected to further strengthen the state’s representation in national-level judo competitions. Members of the judo community and sports officials have congratulated Kadam on his notable accomplishment.
Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk
Academy of Combat Sports Goa (ACS-Goa) has reiterated its vision of building the future of Indian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by focusing on youth development, excellence, and long-term athlete growth. With athletes achieving the highest honours at both national and international levels, ACS-Goa stands as the only academy in India to hold such consistent top-tier achievements in Jiu-Jitsu.
Erica is now actively contributing to this mission by helping shape the next generation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes under the expert guidance of her coach. With clarity of purpose and unwavering commitment, she aims to inspire more children and teenagers to step onto the mats, embrace discipline, and pursue excellence through the sport of Jiu-Jitsu.
ACS-Goa continues to emphasise that world-class grapplers can be developed right here in Goa with the right values, professional training, and competitive exposure. The academy is now focused on nurturing more Tiny Grapplers, providing them with a strong foundation that allows them to confidently represent Goa at the national level and India on the global stage.
The initiative goes beyond training alone, positioning itself as a movement dedicated to shaping character, discipline, and sporting excellence. Through its structured approach and proven track record, ACS-Goa remains committed to building the future of Indian Jiu-Jitsu while inspiring the next generation to rise and lead on the world stage.
Former World Champion Nikhat Zareen produced a stellar performance as she defeated Worlds quarterfinalist Guo Yi Xuan with a resounding 5–0 victory, reaffirming her position as one of India’s top boxing talents.
The bout, featuring two strong counter-punchers, saw Nikhat take strategic control early on. She maintained long-range dominance, using her superior reach, timing, and footwork to neutralize the Chinese boxer throughout the match. Her precision striking and ring intelligence ensured Guo had little room to build momentum.
Speaking after her win, Nikhat expressed deep emotion about performing in front of Indian fans once again. “I am delighted to win in front of the home crowd after two years,” she said. The victory marks her first gold medal since the Elorda Cup in May 2023, making the moment even more significant for the Indian boxing star.
The win boosts India’s medal tally and reinforces Nikhat’s comeback to top form as she continues her quest for more international success.
Raunak Singh, known in the martial arts community as Coach Ronnyy, brings over 17 years of experience as a certified MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), and Combat Sports Instructor. Beyond training athletes, he also serves as an Army Martial Arts and Tactical Combat Trainer, specializing in self-defense and operational combat systems tailored for all age groups and professional categories.
His extensive coaching career includes mentoring athletes for some of the world’s most prestigious events, such as the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, ADCC, World Martial Arts Mastership, World Cup, WAKO Kickboxing Championships, AJP Jiu-Jitsu Championships, and the Mombasa Open. Through these experiences, Raunak has always aimed to build a foundation where martial arts training develops not just skilled fighters, but strong, disciplined, and purpose-driven individuals—both on and off the mat.
The Academy of Combat Sports Goa (ACS GOA) was founded with a mission to establish a professional combat training hub that meets international standards right in Goa. Having worked closely with various federations, defense units, and international coaches, Raunak realized that India lacked a structured academy that could blend combat education, fitness science, and moral discipline. Today, ACS GOA acts as the parent academy and central body for multiple clubs, associations, and affiliate academies throughout Goa and India, uniting diverse martial arts communities under one shared goal: to raise India’s combat sports standards on the global stage.
The main academy is based in Old Goa, but official training programs also run in Panjim, Candolim, Vasco, and Margao. Collaborations with local institutions like Fitness Bar Old Goa and Don Bosco Oratory help extend ACS GOA’s reach. Through a network of affiliates and partner clubs, the academy provides technical guidance, instructor certification, and athlete development, serving as the core hub for the region.
At its core, ACS GOA’s mission is simple: to build warriors for life—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Martial arts, according to Raunak, is not just about fighting; it’s about discipline, humility, and leadership. Every program under the academy operates with the belief that strong character is the foundation of true strength.
The academy offers professional-level training across multiple disciplines. These include MMA, which integrates striking, wrestling, and submission grappling; Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, focusing on leverage and ground control; Kickboxing and Muay Thai for striking precision and endurance; TIMD (Tongilmoodo), a Korean unified martial art blending traditional philosophy with modern combat practice; and real-world self-defense systems tailored for civilians, police, and women’s empowerment programs. Each discipline is taught through a structured and progressive approach emphasizing technique, safety, and mental development.
Beginners begin their journey with foundational drills, movement patterns, and discipline habits, while advanced students delve into specialized tactical training, sparring, and conditioning for competition or self-defense. Raunak personally monitors every student’s progress to ensure safety, growth, and consistent development.
ACS GOA boasts an accomplished coaching team combining international experience and national excellence. Notably, Coach Erica J. de Sequeira, an international athlete ranked third globally in Professional Jiu-Jitsu (AJP ranking), represents India at elite competitions such as ADCC, World Pro, and the Mombasa Open. Alongside her, Raunak himself brings expertise as an Army Martial Trainer and Tactical Combat Instructor, while Instructor Ravindra Chand complements the team with certified yoga and martial arts training focused on athlete mobility, flexibility, and recovery. Together, they embody a balance of technical mastery, modern coaching science, and traditional martial discipline.
The academy caters to a wide range of age groups, designing custom programs to fit each. For kids aged five and above, the focus is on building confidence, focus, and coordination. Teens train for strength, discipline, and leadership development. Adults engage in self-defense, conditioning, and personal mastery, while seniors receive tailored training to improve flexibility, balance, and light defensive skills.
Students join ACS GOA for many reasons: fitness, self-defense, competition, or personal growth. Many start to improve health but stay for the discipline and mental growth martial arts fosters. Some go on to represent India internationally, while others discover balance and peace through consistent practice.
One standout success story is that of Erica J. de Sequeira. Rising from a local Goan student to securing third place in the World Jiu-Jitsu Professional Division, she exemplifies ACS GOA’s vision—empowering Indian athletes to reach global podiums through disciplined training.
Safety remains a top priority. The academy follows certified training protocols, offers medical supervision when necessary, and mandates proper safety gear use. Every session incorporates warm-ups, supervised drills, and skill-level appropriate sparring to ensure students train safely and confidently.
ACS GOA athletes regularly compete at all levels, from local tournaments to international championships such as ADCC, AJP, WAKO Kickboxing, and the World Mastership Games. The academy proudly produces champions who represent India with honor.
Beyond competition, student progress is measured through discipline, consistency, attitude, and technical improvement. The academy employs structured syllabus cards, skill evaluations, and ongoing feedback to support holistic development.
The academy’s self-defense programs are particularly impactful. Through Project Self-Defense Goa, ACS GOA runs initiatives focusing on women’s safety, child protection, and tactical awareness for real-world scenarios. These programs emphasize psychological readiness, situational control, and reaction training, delivered in collaboration with the Goa Police, Department of Women & Child Development, and Pink Force.
Looking ahead, Raunak envisions ACS GOA evolving into a National Center of Excellence for Combat Sports and Tactical Training within five years. The academy plans to expand its network nationwide, creating development pathways for youth athletes, instructors, and defense professionals. The goal is to position Goa as a leading hub for martial arts and combat education across South Asia.
When asked what title would best suit a martial arts movie about ACS GOA, Raunak says it would be “THE FIGHT WITHIN” — because true victory starts inside every individual before it’s visible in the ring.
Training at ACS GOA is not without its lighter moments. One memorable incident involved a kids’ sparring match where a young student suddenly paused mid-round, bowed, and said, “Coach, I need water before my takedown!” Moments like this bring laughter and humility, reminding everyone of the human side of martial arts.
If the academy had a signature move named after it, Raunak would call it “The Goan Lockdown” — a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu-based control transition symbolizing patience, precision, and pure technique, perfectly reflecting ACS GOA’s core values.
Expansion plans include developing international collaborations and launching online coaching platforms to make training accessible worldwide. The academy is also preparing to launch the Goa Fight League, an in-house MMA and Jiu-Jitsu event aimed at nurturing young Indian fighters. Ultimately, ACS GOA aspires to unify combat systems under an educational and ethical framework centered on discipline, respect, and lifelong learning.
Raunak also hopes to break a common myth: “Martial arts is only for fighters.” In reality, martial arts is for anyone seeking balance, strength, and confidence in life.
For those nervous about starting martial arts, Raunak offers simple but powerful advice: “Everyone starts as a beginner—even world champions. You don’t need to be strong to start; training will make you strong. Step onto the mat once, and you’ll realize martial arts isn’t about fighting others—it’s about discovering your best self.”
At ACS GOA, Raunak and his team are building more than fighters—they are creating a legacy of discipline, courage, and unity. As the parent academy to many clubs, associations, and affiliate academies, their mission is to raise the next generation of Indian martial artists who carry strength in skill and humility in heart.
Sangram Singh, the Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion and one of India’s most inspiring athletes, has officially announced his return to the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). At 40, an age when most athletes hang up their gloves, Sangram is preparing for his second professional MMA bout, which will take place in Poland. The details of the event and his opponent are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.
Singh made headlines across the world during his debut at the Gama International Fighting Championship in Tbilisi, Georgia. There, he stunned audiences with a dominant victory over Pakistan’s Ali Raza, ending the fight in just 90 seconds. This achievement not only marked his successful transition from wrestling to MMA but also made him the first Indian male wrestler to win an international MMA fight.
Now, as he prepares for his second fight, Sangram Singh continues to embody perseverance and strength. Having once been wheelchair-bound, his transformation into an international combat sports figure is a testament to the power of will and belief. Speaking during his training, he said, “Age is just a number when your soul refuses to give up. When I stepped into that octagon in Georgia at 40, fighting against a fighter 17 years younger than me, I wasn’t just fighting for myself – I was fighting to show every dreamer in their 20s, 30s, and 40s that their time is still ahead. This Poland tournament is my second chapter, not the final one.”
More than just a fighter, Sangram Singh is also an advocate for health and sustainability. He has continued to promote an all-vegetarian diet as a viable and powerful option for elite athletes, challenging long-standing beliefs in the combat sports world. “My vegetarian lifestyle is not a limitation – it’s my superpower. Every lentil, every vegetable, every morning’s ghee and ashwagandha not only powers my muscles but also fuels my mission to prove that Indian traditions can dominate on the world stage,” he explained.
In a country where MMA is still finding its footing, Sangram Singh continues to be a trailblazer. His return to the international arena is not just a personal milestone but also an inspirational story for millions across India and beyond. His upcoming fight in Poland will be another opportunity to break stereotypes, defy odds, and raise the Indian flag on a global stage once again.
