He joined karate school at the age of eight and earned his black belt at 13. The martial arts boom that followed the release of Bruce Lee's blockbuster, Enter The Dragon, saw Salauddin don the instructor's robe at 14.

Three years back, Salauddin consciously cut down his involvement in the martial art. He started a transport business, and told his students to find a new master.

Now, at 29, he has retraced his steps to karate school, goaded by well-wishers, who could not see his talent going waste.

Within a year, Salauddin is back to peak form. He won his maiden National title in the open category, the most prestigious event in competitive karate.

The National champion's success, after finishing runner-up on debut at Chennai last year, has earned him a berth in the Indian squad for the inaugural South Asian Agreement for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) meet, in Colombo from May 16.

``Undoubtedly, the National title is my best achievement till date. I now hope to win India its first international karate medal,'' he said, when the The Indian Express caught up with him at his terrace flat in Sewri.

Salauddin is undergoing special training from sensei Hosi Batliwala and sensei Pervez Mistry, whom he calls the `father of Indian karate.'

It is evident the two-year hiatus is a thing of the past, even if it slices, like a butter knife, through his first and second comings in the martial art. He could not participate in the Nationals earlier, as his club was not affiliated to the Maharashtra Karate Association (MKA) or the All-India Karate-Do Federation (AIKF).

``My past days in karate is a closed chapter. I don't want to talk about it. I may have missed out on medals, but I'm glad it has happened now. God has been good with me.''

For the Nationals, Salauddin had to adapt to the different styles of karate recognised by the World Karate Federation. He had to give up the smugsecurity of expertise in his chosen style, Goju Ryu.

``It is a challenge, as I have to learn to fight with karatekas having 50 different fighting patterns. For instance, in Goju Ryu, we deploy a circular punch and the body is crouched like a cat, compressed, waiting to spring. A Shoto Kan karateka stands upright and prefers the straight punch, while a Shotu Ryu fighter favours the kick.''

Salauddin says his background in contact martial arts (jukumite) helps him adapt to the no-contact (shiai) rule in force in competitive karate.

He has to approach an opponent with the same power, the same momentum and yet not touch him. The opponent should just feel the air push.

There is no doubt he has adapted well. Sensei Hosi Batliwala says, ``Salauddin is very cool in the head and knows how to move. He only needs to improve his speed.''

Salauddin's wife Shaheen, a blackbelt and a former pupil, is another critic. ``He is an intelligent fighter, but lowers his guard every now and then,'' shesays.

Salauddin acknowledges, ``Shaheen is my inspiration. If it was not for her persistence, I would not have made my comeback.''