Famous martial artist, Grand Master Mr. Muhammad Ashraf Tai had introduced
Bando, the Burmese style of martial arts, in Pakistan way back in 1971 but it
were his accomplishments against top-notchers which earned him fame and
recognition. He has become a martial art icon in the country and a large number
of his students have spread his mission in different countries of the world
making him an internationally renowned figure.
Grand Master Ashraf Tai had created a sensation by overpowering Stanley Michael
of Malaysia in the final of the Afro-Asia Championship in 1978. He had
confirmed his superiority in the continent by outwitting Japan's Koha
Yash a year later.
After emerging triumphant in a tournament staged in Sri
Lanka in 1980, he dared fighting the reigning world
champion, Don Wilson of the United
States, in 1981. The creditable performance
against the world champion elevated his ranking to the ninth place in the
world.
Grand Master Ashraf Tai then founded the Pakistan Karate Federation (PKF) and
succeeded in having the body affiliated with the Pakistan Olympic Association
(POA) as well as the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).
Having received numerous awards in various continents of the world during his
illustrious career, he was declared the International Grand Master of the Year
in 2000 by an institution based in the United States.
The Tai's Karate Centre, founded by him in 1970, has already trained thousands
of martial artists. The branches of his centres have not only been functioning
with great success all over the country but the students trained by him have
also been operating the centres named after him in quite a few countries like
the United States, England, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia,
Afghanistan, France, Holland and Bangladesh.Grand Master Ashraf Tai, was
conferred the coveted Pride of Performance award by the then President General
Pervez Musharraf.
The pioneer of Bando in Pakistan,
Grand Master Ashraf Tai holds the distinction of claiming the highest degree
(8th Dan) in the martial arts history of the country. Only a handful of martial
artists have matched his feat worldwide.
He had started karate at the age of 9 with my master Lee Phow Shin. He got his
black belt at the age of 16. He started participating in a lot of local
tournaments, most of which were professional.
