Team Member

Sensi Tryamphu Rai

Sensei Tryamphu Rai, born in the picturesque landscapes of Bhutan. His journey
through life has been defined by his unwavering determination, remarkable skill in karate, and
his commitment to fostering change and empowerment. His story unfolds as a testament to
resilience, passion, and the transformative power of martial arts. He faced tumultuous times
due to the political situation, which led him to seek refuge in Nepal in 1989.

In 1989, while residing in Dulahari, Nepal, Sensei Rai's passion for karate was ignited
when he began learning the art from a friend, Uddhav Thapa. His dedication and commitment
soon led him to join the Dulahari Shito-Ryu karate dojo, under the guidance of Sensei Bikash
Chaudari. Sensei Rai's journey was marked by winning multiple gold medals in karate
championships and rapid progress, earning him a black belt in karate by 1996. His dedication to
the craft was not only about personal achievement, but also about sharing his knowledge
with others.
The year 1993 proved pivotal as Sensei Rai, along with his family, registered in the
Khudunabari Refugee camp in Jhapa, Nepal. Just a month later, he opened the Shito-Ryu Karate
dojo in the camp, marking the beginning of a mission to empower youth through karate. Despite
the challenges posed by poverty, adversity and limited resources, Sensei Rai's dojo became
a beacon of hope and empowerment for many talented youngsters within the refugee
community.
As his reputation grew, so did his influence. Sensei Rai founded the Bhutan ShitoRyu Karate Association (BSKA),
first karate association in Bhutanese Refugee camp, which was
later renamed as the Shito-Ryu Karate Association of Bhutan (SKAB) to avoid confusion with
a similarly named organization with Bangladesh. His leadership united Bhutanese karate dojos
from various refugee camps, forming a strong collective that represented Bhutan in
different championships. In 1997, under sensei Rai’s leadership, SKAB produced an impressive
cohort of seven first batch black belts. Throughout the years, SKAB has flourished, producing
hundreds of blackbelts and numerous gold medalist in various championships. Sensei Rai's
influence transcended the dojo walls. In 1996, he became a regional karate referee, a role that
marked the beginning of his involvement in the administration of the sport. This trajectory
continued as he progressed to become a national referee in 2003 and a karate Asian Referee in
2004, showcasing his commitment to both competition and the broader karate community. His
dedication was not limited to the mat; he actively engaged with Non-Profit Organizations
(NGOs) such as the International Falcon Movement-Socialist Education International (IFM-SEI)
from 2004 to 2010, General Sectary at Youth Organization of Bhutan (YOB) from 2004 to
2009, member of Nepal Red Cross Society from 1994 to 2015, contributing significantly by
donating blood through blood bank to save life of other and Camp Secretory at Refugee
Management Committee from 2011 to 2012, demonstrating his commitment to community
development.
In 2015, a new chapter began as Rai resettled in Columbus, Ohio, USA. Eager to share his
expertise, he wasted no time and started teaching within a week of his arrival, becoming the
first Bhutanese-Nepali to teach Karate in the United States of America. His legacy grew as he
played a pivotal role in founding the Druk American Shito-Ryu Karate (DASK) in early
2016. However, his vision led him to part ways with DASK and establish the TransAmerican
Association of Shito-Ryu Karate (TASK), which rapidly expanding across numerous
states, testament to Rai's leadership and the strength of his teachings. His journey from a
refugee camp in Nepal to becoming a revered figure in the international karate community is
nothing short of inspiring.
As of now, Sensei Tryamphu Rai holds a 5th Dan Blackbelt and continues to serve as
the founder and chief instructor of TASK. He has not only made an impact as a competitor
and instructor but has also become a national referee in the USA, contributing to the
karate community on a global scale and became a member of Global Nepali Karate
Organization (GNKO) in 2021. Sensei Tryamphu Rai's accomplishments are nothing short of
extraordinary. He is not only the first Bhutanese Refugee to achieve such remarkable success in
karate but also the first to hold the highest rank in the Bhutanese Refugee Community. His life's
journey serves as the embodiment of perseverance, resilience, passion, and the transformative
power of martial arts and community activist.