Spochan India logo SPOCHAN INDIA Sports Chanbara Association of India

スポーツチャンバラ · Est. in India 2007

The spirit of the samurai. Safe for everyone.

Sports Chanbara — Spochan — is modern samurai sword fighting with air-soft swords. From our base in Hyderabad, Spochan India has grown into national championships, state chapters across the country, and medals at Asian and World Championships.

Start training Our history
Two Spochan players in a double-sword duel at a demo in Hyderabad
Double-sword duel · St. Ann's College demo, Hyderabad
9National Championships — the 9th held in 2019
2009First Indian team abroad — and first World medal
8States & UTs at national events
金World Championship gold, Tokyo 2018

What is Spochan

If you are hit, you lose.

"Chanbara" is the Japanese sound of clashing samurai swords. Tetsundo Tanabe created Sports Chanbara in 1971 so anyone could cross swords without getting hurt — every weapon is air-filled, so even a hard strike is harmless.

The rules are simple and fair: a clean hit wins, regardless of age, size or strength. Players compete in eight weapon categories — dagger (Tanto), short sword (Kodachi), long sword (Choken), one-handed long sword, two swords (Nito), shield and short sword (Tate-Kodachi), staff and spear (Yari).

対戦

Taisen — one on one

Two players, the same or different weapons, minimal rules.

乱戦

Ransen — free-for-all

A group battle where many players fight at once.

合戦

Kassen — team battle

Two teams with equal numbers of players face off.

Prof. Dr. Siddiq Mahmoodi receiving a certificate at the World Sport Chanbara Championship

Founder President

Renshi Prof. Dr. S.M. Siddiq Mahmoodi

Founder President and International Director of Spochan India. He coached India's first team in 2009, built state chapters across the country, and led Team India as coach and referee at the 43rd World Championships in Tokyo.

Dr. Leela receiving her Spochan rank certificate

A first for Indian women

Dr. Leela

Anatomy Professor at Deccan College of Medical Sciences — the first woman in India to receive a high-rank Spochan certification from Japan.

Our history

From Hyderabad to the world

2007

Spochan arrives in India

The first Indian players begin training in Sports Chanbara.

Aug 2009Spochan India first Indian team with banner

First Team India — Kathmandu

India's first-ever team competes at the 4th Asian-Oceania Championships in Nepal, captained by Md. Aqeel Ahmed.

2009

World debut — Yokohama

Captained by Mohiuddin Makki Pasha. Mahesh Babu becomes India's first World Championship silver medallist.

2011

5th Asian Championships

Captained by Shamsuddin Ahmed. Omran Shaikh wins gold and bronze; Abdul Rehman wins silver.

Dec 2012Instructors at the first Spochan seminar in Hyderabad

First instructors' seminar

Held in Hyderabad with state heads from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

2013Hosokawa Cup presentation at the 3rd Nationals

3rd Nationals & Hosokawa Cup

Hyderabad, 30 March. Andhra Pradesh lifts the cup in the presence of Kyoshi Kenichi Hosokawa Sensei. Hyderabad also hosts the 7th Asian-Oceania Championship.

2014

4th Nationals — Chennai

The championship travels to Tamil Nadu.

2015Players at the 5th Nationals, Nizamuddin Cup

5th Nationals — Nizamuddin Cup

Hyderabad, 10–11 October.

2016

6th Tournament — EFLU Bunkasai

A promotional competition at EFLU's annual Japanese culture festival.

2018Telangana team at the 8th Nationals, Vadodara

8th Nationals — Vadodara · Gold in Tokyo

Nationals reach Gujarat. In December, Team India wins four medals at the 43rd World Championships, including gold.

2019Teams at the 9th Nationals, Karaikal

9th Nationals — Karaikal

Puducherry, 22 December, with teams from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra.

Next

[Upcoming championship]

[Add dates and venue for the next event.]

Roll of honour

India's international medallists

World Championships, Tokyo 2018

Mohammed Shamsuddin Ahmed

Gold in Kodachi, bronze in Choken and Nito. Captain, 2011 and 2018.

World Championships, Japan 2009

Mahesh Babu

India's first World Championship silver medallist.

Asian Championships 2011

Omran Shaikh

1 gold and 1 bronze.

Asian Championships

Ali Moinuddin Khaja Pasha

1 silver and 3 bronze.

Asian Championships 2011

Abdul Rehman

Silver medallist.

World Championships, Tokyo 2018

Mir Mustafa Ali

Medal in Tate-Kodachi (shield and short sword).

Also honoured: Yaseen Shareef (Asian medallist, 2009) · Mahmood Alamoodi (team winner) · and every player who has worn India's colours, including Waheeduddin, Mohiuddin Makki Pasha, Thirthankar Bhadury, Syed Nizamuddin, VRS. Kumar and Anand Pendurker.

Across India

State chapters

Spochan has spread state by state, often through senior instructors of karate, taekwondo and silambam.

Telangana & Andhra Pradesh

Headquarters in Hyderabad. Host of four national championships; 2013 Hosokawa Cup winners.

Maharashtra

Mumbai chapter hosted by Master Mohammed Sardar Shaikh.

Tamil Nadu

Led by Mr. Manoharan in Chennai, with V. Raja Sensei, Ramu Sensei and Ms. Kavita S. Sensei.

Gujarat

State head Shirish Thite Sensei with Hyder Campwala. Hosted the 8th Nationals, Vadodara.

Puducherry

VRS. Kumar Sensei in charge. Hosted the 9th Nationals, Karaikal.

Karnataka & Kerala

State representatives at national seminars and championships.

Outreach & demos

Promotional demos at St. Ann's College for Women, Mehdipatnam · awareness program with Masti Ki Patshala · seminars in Ranga Reddy District (Qutbullapur Mandal) · competitions at EFLU's Bunkasai. Want a demo at your school or college? Get in touch below.

Spochan India logo

Contact Spochan India

Pick up a sword.

Train for fun, bring Spochan to your school, start a state chapter, or compete for India internationally.

Hyderabad, Telangana · [Dojo address] spochan.india2009@gmail.com +91 98850 44250