1985 with Shihan Ranjith De Silva

About Soshi Upali

Soshi Dr. Upali Mendis is one of Sri Lanka’s most respected and influential full-contact karate masters, with a martial journey spanning four decades of disciplined training, teaching, leadership, and international representation. His dedication to the art began in 1985 at St. Anthony’s National College, Wattala, where he first trained under the guidance of two pioneering instructors of the Black Dragon Karate Association—Chief Instructor Shihan Ranjith De Silva and Assistant Instructor Shihan Kamal Fernando (Headquarters Representatives of USKD Junketsu Kai). Their strict discipline, technical mastery, and deep commitment to traditional karate formed the foundation of Soshi Upali’s lifelong path. The passing of Shihan Ranjith De Silva in 2018 marked a profound loss to the Sri Lankan martial arts community, and his memory remains an enduring influence in Soshi Upali’s leadership and teaching philosophy.  

By 1990, even as a Yellow Belt (4th Kyu), Soshi Upali demonstrated exceptional maturity and leadership, allowing him to begin teaching karate across Sri Lanka—an opportunity rarely entrusted to practitioners of that rank. His disciplined practice and unwavering dedication led him to earn his 1st Dan Black Belt in 1994, solidifying his place as a senior instructor and respected martial artist.

A defining moment of his career came in 1998 at the 1st International Enshin Kai Sabaki Challenge held at Tower Hall, Colombo. With Kancho Joko Ninomiya, founder of Enshin Karate, attending as chief guest, the tournament drew elite fighters from Japan, Iran, and Sri Lanka. Soshi Upali competed in the Open Challenge Division, a category without age or weight restrictions, displaying exceptional skill, resilience, and fighting spirit. He emerged as the champion, earning the admiration of international masters. Following this victory, Kancho Ninomiya and Germany’s Chief Instructor, Shihan Banza Jaya, personally invited him to become the Chief Instructor of Enshin Kai Sri Lanka. In a remarkable act of loyalty and humility, he declined the honour and directed it to his own teacher, Shihan Ranjith De Silva, choosing instead to continue serving as his assistant instructor.

In 2000, he joined the Sri Lankan delegation at the International Enshin Kai Training and Leadership Meeting in Singapore, a major global gathering organised by Shihan David and led personally by Kancho Joko Ninomiya. The team from Sri Lanka included Shihan Ranjith De Silva, Shihan Sanath Raja (Headquarters Representatives of USKD Junketsu Kai), Shihan Nawarathna Wimaladarma, and Soshi Upali Mendis. Distinguished participants included Shihan Tetsuyi Doi of Japan (now Head of Doi Karate Dojo) and Shihan Sriniva Ravo of India (now Chief Instructor of Shoidikan India). This event served as both an advanced technical training camp and an international leadership meeting, strengthening global bonds within Enshin Kai and deepening Soshi Upali’s position within the worldwide Sabaki community.

After many years of loyal service, he respectfully concluded his time with Enshin Kai in 2010, holding the rank of 2nd Dan, and became the Chief Instructor of International Sabaki Karate-Do Seiken Kai Sri Lanka under Sohan Yshioka Tsuneo. From 2013 onwards, he led Sri Lankan teams to Japan for the All Japan Full Contact Championships, JKJO Tournaments and Bushin Tournaments, providing young fighters from Sri Lanka with invaluable international experience. His contributions earned him recognition as the South Asian Chief Instructor of Seiken Kai, expanding his influence and responsibilities across the region. During these times, Soshi Upali was recognised as a JKJO International Referee by the Japan Karate Judging Association—Japan.

In 2019, after earning his 6th Dan, he concluded his journey with Seiken Kai and was appointed Chief Instructor of Ryushin Kai Sri Lanka, continuing to raise the standards of full-contact karate within the nation.

In 2020, he was appointed Sri Lanka Chief of Shingi Kai under Kancho Asayama Shingo, while simultaneously laying the foundation for his own independent martial organisation—USKD Junketsu Kai—a system founded on purity, discipline, humility, and the true Sabaki spirit.

His reputation continued to rise internationally. In 2021, he was appointed Asia Director and Asia Chief of Teshinkai Karate under Kancho Barry Johnston, along with the prestigious rank of 7th Dan, recognising both his technical excellence and decades of leadership.

In 2022, he was invited by Kancho Furukawa to train and exchange knowledge at Mononkai Karate Fukuoka Dojo in Japan, further strengthening his connections with traditional Japanese full-contact karate. The following year, in 2023, he was honoured with an invitation to join Kyokushin Bugakukan under Kancho Tomitaka at the Kyokushin Bugakukan Asia Cup and World Championship Tournaments as the Sri Lanka Representative and International Full Contact Judge, in recognition of his influence and contributions to the global Kyokushin and Sabaki community. Also, Soshi Upali conducted the 1st Asian Tournament in Sri Lanka after 1993.

Finally, in 2025, after decades of service to international karate organisations, Soshi Dr. Upali Mendis made the distinguished decision to lead independently, fully formalising and expanding USKD Junketsu Kai as a respected martial organisation dedicated to purity of technique, discipline, honour, spiritual growth, and the preservation of true martial culture.

All the major international karate associations mentioned in his career, including Enshin Kai, International Sabaki Karate-Do Seiken Kai, Ryushin Kai, Shingi Kai, Teshinkai Karate, Mononkai Karate Fukuoka Dojo, and Kyokushin Bugakukan, were originally introduced to Sri Lanka and South Asia by Soshi Dr. Upali Mendis, even though many of these associations are currently represented and maintained by other instructors in the region. His pioneering efforts laid the foundation for the growth and recognition of these organisations, establishing Sri Lanka as a respected hub in the international full-contact karate community.

Soshi Dr. Upali Mendis feels immensely happy and proud of having introduced more than seven major international karate associations to Sri Lanka, while also building, expanding, and establishing his own association, USKD Junketsu Kai, as a global force. Born as the son of a middle-class family in Sri Lanka with a loving mother and father and three elder brothers and one younger brother, his journey from humble beginnings to international leadership stands as a testament to determination, dedication, and the enduring power of vision and discipline in martial arts.

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