Mastery in Motion: Soke Tamas Weber’s Historic Karate & Self-Defense Seminar, India-2025
- Dec 17, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 17, 2025
A Convergence of History and Mastery
It is not every day that history walks onto the mats. From December 12th to 14th, the city of Gurgaon became the epicenter of traditional martial arts and modern combat science.
Hosted at the state-of-the-art Pragyanam School in Sector 65, this historic event was organised by Sanshinkan India along with Kombat Hall. We had the rare and distinct honour of welcoming Soke Tamas Weber, the founder of Sanshinkan International, for a high-intensity training camp that bridged the gap between ancient tradition and street survival.
For martial arts enthusiasts in India, this was more than just a seminar; it was a pilgrimage. Over 100 participants traveled from across the nation—and as far afield as Sweden and Israel—to stand in the presence of a 10th Dan grandmaster. The energy in the hall was palpable as students, ranging from eager white belts to seasoned black belts, gathered for this three-day masterclass.
The Karate Legend in Our Midst: Who is Soke Tamas Weber?
To understand the magnitude of this event, one must understand the man who led it. In the world of martial arts, the title "Master" is often used, but Soke Tamas Weber defines it.
Born in 1942, Soke Weber’s life reads like an adventure novel. He is the first non-Japanese master in history to be awarded the rank of Judan (10th Dan) in Karate. But his wisdom is not confined to the dojo. Soke Weber is a decorated veteran of the legendary French Foreign Legion, having served in the Algerian War. He later served as an officer in the Swedish Army and became a sought-after expert in Close Quarter Battle (CQB) for elite police and anti-terrorist units across Europe and the Middle East.
He was the first European ever inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame in the USA, receiving the Platinum Life Achievement Award.
When Soke Weber speaks about "survival," he isn't quoting a textbook—he is sharing lived experience from the front lines.
Days 1 & 2: The Science of Traditional Karate (Dec 12-13)
The first two days of the seminar were dedicated to the Principles of Karate. Soke Weber stripped away the "fluff" of modern practice to focus on biomechanics and physics. His teaching style combined the philosophical depth of a traditional sensei with the no-nonsense approach of a military instructor.
Key Technical Pillars:
1. The Physics of the "Pull Back" (Hikite)
Soke corrected a common mistake by drilling the importance of Hikite—the pull-back. He explained that by snapping the non-striking hand back with speed, you generate a torque in the hips that acts like a whip, launching the striking hand forward with far greater velocity.
2. The Ceramic Plate Analogy
To illustrate "snapping" power, Soke gave a brilliant analogy. He explained that if you push a heavy ceramic plate consistent slow force, it still resists. However, if you hit it with a sharp, high-velocity impact and immediately retract, the shockwave shatters the plate. This concept of "shock power" is the essence of his karate principles.
3. Ground Reaction Force
"Power comes from the floor." Participants learned to "push the ground" to generate kinetic energy. By rooting the feet and driving through the heels, even a smaller fighter can generate immense force that travels up through the legs and out through the kick or the fist.
Day 3: The Art of Real-World Self-Defense (Dec 14)
The final day marked a shift in focus. Transitioning from the structure of Karate to the chaos of the street, the Sunday session was dedicated entirely to Self-Defense.
The ultimate goal of martial arts is protection. Soke Weber and the senior masters demonstrated Bunkai (application)—showing how a simple block in a kata is actually a bone-breaking defense against a grab.
This session was heavily supported by our international guests, specifically the Israeli team led by Shihan Bahjat Fatfout, who brought their expertise in neutralising threats quickly and efficiently.
Sensei Yashpal also demonstrated a blindfolded kicking accuracy which grabbed everyone's attention.
A Global Gathering of Titans
The seminar was elevated to a world-class event by the presence of high-ranking international dignitaries who shared the floor with Soke Weber:
Shihan Bahjat Fatfout (9th Dan Karate & 9th Dan Krav Maga, Israel): Shihan Bahjat led specialised drills on Day 3. With his high-level background in Krav Maga, he taught students how to neutralise threats—such as chokes or grabs and even knife attacks—with brutal efficiency.
Shihan Josef Fatfout (9th Dan Karate & 9th Dan Krav Maga, Israel): A pillar of the Sanshinkan community, Shihan Josef’s technical precision helped refine the movements of advanced black belts.
Sensei Yashpal Singh Kalsi (8th Dan Karate): The India Head of Sanshinkan and Chief Organiser. In a breathtaking demonstration of mental acuity, Sensei Yashpal performed a blindfolded spinning kick, shattering a thick wooden board. This was a display of Zanshin (total awareness), proving that a true martial artist sees with their mind.
Sensei Anamika Singh Kalsi (7th Dan Karate): A role model for all of us in martial arts, Sensei Anamika worked closely with the students, ensuring that everyone, from Kids Karate batches to adults, could keep up with the pace.
Team Kombat Hall: The Warriors Behind the Scenes
An event of this scale does not happen by accident. It requires machine-like precision to organise, and that machine had Kombat Hall Team in its gears.
We are incredibly proud of our students—both the Kids and the Adult warriors—who stepped up not just as participants, but as hosts. They managed logistics, welcomed international guests, and maintained the discipline of the dojo, showcasing the true values of martial arts: respect, service, and community.
A special recognition goes to our dedicated coaching team, who were the backbone of the seminar:
Sensei Shikher Gupta, who led the warmup sessions and was key in explaining move to students.
Sensei Shushant Sharma
Sensei Varun Gupta
Sensei Aman Saini
Watch: Seminar Highlights
Witness the energy of the participants training under the guidance of Soke Tamas Weber and the Sanshinkan senior masters.
Masterclass with the Legend
In the Media: Headlines & Highlights
The magnitude of Soke Weber’s visit resonated beyond the dojo walls, capturing the attention of leading newspapers and the local community.
News Report & Interviews
Featured in Print
(As seen in Tahalka India and local dailies)
The press highlighted the successful conclusion of the 3-day international seminar held from December 12-14 at Prajnam School, Sector 65. The event was headlined by Soke Tamas Weber(Founder, Sanshinkan) and hosted by Sensei Yashpal Singh Kalsi (India Head).
The coverage praised the seminar for providing a "global platform" for over 100 participants. It noted the structured approach: focusing on Karate principles for the first two days and culminating in a dedicated Self-Defense session on the final day, featuring expert training from the Israeli team led by Sensei Bahjat Fatfout.
Join the Legacy
We didn't just learn how to punch harder; we learned how to move better, think faster, and stand taller. Events like these remind us why we train. We are not just hitting pads; we are preserving a lineage.
Missed the seminar?
Don't worry. The techniques taught by Soke Weber are integrated into our daily curriculum. Join us at Kombat Hall and start your journey today.
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