Okinawa Martial Arts Academy (OMAA) is the pioneer of Karate in India — founded in Hyderabad and now home to over 1,000 affiliated centres and 10,000+ Black Belts across the globe.
Mr. S. Srinivasan is the Founder and Grandmaster of Okinawa Martial Arts Academy, a B.A. Economics graduate from Madras University who built OMAA into an institution with operations across 22 states in India and 7 countries abroad.
What began in 1977 in Hyderabad grew into the first Martial Arts University in the world, with its International Training Headquarters in Hyderabad, India, uniting instructors under one roof to build coordination, fraternity, and friendship across karate schools everywhere.
OMAA is a registered member of the Karate India Organisation (KIO), recognised by the World Karate Federation (WKF) — itself recognised by the International Olympic Committee.
Born in 1950 in Sattur, Virudhunagar District, Tamil Nadu, Srinivasan showed a passion for fighting arts from the age of 10 — a passion that would take him from a boxing gymnasium in Madras to the founding of India's first Martial Arts University.
Born in Sattur, Tamil Nadu. Began learning boxing at age 10 in a Madras gymnasium, then Taekwon-Do under a Malaysian master and Karate under a Vietnamese master at age 15.
From 18 to 24, learned Judo while continuing Karate, performing in numerous demonstrations alongside his masters in and around Madras.
At 27, moved to Hyderabad to teach Karate in schools and colleges — and founded the Okinawa Martial Arts Academy.
Invited to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for three months of advanced training, returning with a Black Belt Shodan from Karate Budokan International (KBI) and going on to develop KBI across India as one of Grandmaster Chew Choo Soot's favourite international students.
Organised the first International Open Karate Championship in Hyderabad in 1980, drawing competitors from Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Earned Black Belt Nidan (1980) and Sandan (1981). In 1982, started karate classes at New Delhi's YMCAs and taught karate lessons through SUN Magazine, a leading national youth publication.
After 60 major karate demonstrations across India — including Nagpur, Bhopal, Kota, Jaipur, Ludhiana, and Delhi — retired from stage shows in 1983 to focus on training students. Awarded Black Belt 4th Dan in American Tae Kwon Do (1983) and 5th Dan in Okinawa-Te from the U.S.A. (1984).
Appointed Director of Operations by World Karate Association President Howard F. Hanson in 1985, attending the WKA World Convention in Brussels. In 1986, founded his own style, Binoryu Karate, believing an exclusive style originating from India — the birthplace of many martial arts — was overdue.
Binoryu Karate recognised by the World Head of Family Sokeship Council (WHFSC), U.S.A. in 1993. Awarded the Hall of Fame World Achievements Award (1994), Hall of Fame Grandmaster of the Year Award (1997), and World Pioneer Award (1999), all by the WHFSC in the U.S.A.
Received an official invitation from Shotokan karate legend Tetsuhiko Asai of Japan, training under him in New Zealand. Srinivasan has called this the turning point in his life, and received Asai Sensei's direct recognition and affiliation for Japan Karate Shotokai – India (JKS-India).
Undertook special training under Grandmaster Clement Soo, the legend of Malaysian karate, and received Black Belt 7th Dan from the All American Shotokan Organization.
Received direct recognition and membership for his karate styles from the All India Karate-Do Federation, recognised by the World Karate Federation, Indian Olympic Association, and the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of India.
Across 60 major demonstrations, Srinivasan's signature act was breaking a huge ice bar with his forehead — 60 ice bars broken in 60 shows. Other feats included chopping hanging bricks, putting out four flaming candles with a single punch, lighting a candle with a roundhouse kick and extinguishing it with a spinning kick, and performing the double nunchaku kata blindfolded.
"Mr. Srinivasan attributes his success to his great Grandmasters in the world."
OMAA brings every affiliated instructor under one roof — with structured training, recognised certification, and zero royalty fees.
We collect no royalty from affiliated centres. Fees collected from students stay entirely with the local school.
Official instructor training programs and camps run regularly at our Headquarters, covering karate and oriental weapons.
Instructors due for higher grading can test for their Black Belt, awarded directly by the Grand Master.
Affiliated instructors receive an Authority Passbook recording gradation history, renewed annually with affiliation.
Senior Black Belt instructors can conduct grading exams for their own students, with HQ examiners available on request.
State, National, and International championships, plus annual Judges & Referees seminars for certified instructors.
From Hyderabad, OMAA has grown to operations across 22 states in India and 7 countries abroad, carrying Okinawan karate tradition to every continent.
