'Buhurt', the extreme sport you've likely never heard of.
Written by S. Kirby
Photography supplied
If you've ever wanted to put on a suit of armour, pick up an axe, and battle your fellow humans, what might be the most interesting sport you've never heard of, 'Buhurt' or Medieval Combat, might be for you... And it's happening live this weekend at Mouse Proof Brewery.
Admittedly, Full-Contact Medieval Combat Cage fights weren't on our radar a week ago. Nor was this budding community of 20-plus participants we've since discovered that call our city home. And yet, ever since we read about it and this weekend's upcoming battle night, barely an encounter has gone by where we haven't mentioned it (maybe it's the inner teenage boy in us coming out).
In a serious escalation from what you may expect at your friendly neighbourhood renaissance fair, "Buhurt" (for the uninitiated) is a modern-day full-contact combat sport which involves fighters using blunted, but very real, steel weapons and medieval armour. Those who enough to take part aim to knock down their opponent, using blows and various mixed-martial arts takedown techniques; think MMA in armour.
"It looks brutal and visceral, and it's full-on, but it's a lot of fun", members of the local Tyrs Warriors competition team explained when we popped by their training session this week. "The suits themselves weigh up to 30kgs, and it actually takes considerable fitness and regular training to be able to go round for round in a fight".
Saturday's event is set to be the first of what Mouse Proof owner John hopes will be many and will feature a night of fights, from head-to-head longsword battles to 3v3 group fights, culminating in a free-for-all Last Man Standing melee. Local band Palinola will be taking the stage for a night of live music (because moments like these always need a backing track), Saturday plans got a lot more intriguing.
For event info, click here
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