Four-and-a-half-year-old Eadfrid becomes karate wonder kid, earns international black belt

THRISSUR: Eadfrid is just four and a half years old. At an age when most children are busy playing with toys, he has already earned the First Dan International Black Belt. He is also one of the youngest black belt achievers in the world and a national karate champion.

Eadfrid Vincent, son of Jackson and Anna of the Padiyattu family in Viyyur, began his karate training at the age of three. He first accompanied his elder brother, Ethan George, a Class 8 student, to his training sessions. With no access to phones or other distractions, Eadfrid began taking an interest in the martial art and focused on learning its moves.

Eadfrid holds the distinction of being the youngest child to earn a black belt in the history of the International Budo Karate Masters Federation. His feat of performing 12 katas continuously has also earned him international recognition. A UKG student at Good Shepherd CMI School in Kunnamkulam, Eadfrid trains under Zainudheen, a Budo Shotokan karate instructor in Thrissur.

National karate champion

Eadfrid secured first place in the under-five category at the National Karate Championship. He also won first place in the kata category at a South Indian tournament held in Ernakulam. Although he had opportunities to compete in international competitions in Spain and Sri Lanka in 2025, financial constraints prevented him from participating. He is now undergoing rigorous training to earn the Second Dan Black Belt, following the rules and syllabus prescribed by the international federation. He is also learning nunchaku techniques. His father, Jackson, runs a coffee shop at Swaraj Round in Thrissur.