Steel crashed against steel with a force that echoed across the Hawkesbury Showground in Richmond.
Wearing more than 30kg of armour, fighters surged forward, their breathing growing heavier with every exchange of blows.
More than 150 competitors gathered for the Australian Medieval Combat Federation Winterfest buhurt tournament from July 4 to 5.
Buhurt is a growing combat sport based on medieval tournament fighting, using historically based armour and weapons.
Its blend of physical endurance, discipline and teamwork has attracted an increasing number of Defence members and veterans.
Air Force Sergeant Guy Vincent, coach and fighter with Newcastle’s Team Ravenguard, said competitors typically wore between 30kg and 45kg of armour, making fitness and mobility critical components of the sport.
With more than a decade of experience, he said the impacts could be surprisingly intense despite the heavy protective equipment.
“Once I got hit by a two-handed axe and it felt like getting hit with a taser – my whole body lit up and I just dropped,” Sergeant Vincent said.
“The armour lets you go full force, but you still have to stay switched on and protect yourself.”
Buhurt uses a five-versus-five team format, with fighters deemed ‘out’ if they touch the ground with anything other than their feet.
‘Once I got hit by a two-handed axe and it felt like getting hit with a taser – my whole body lit up and I just dropped.’
Major Max Convey, from the Canberra Burly Griffins, said the sport’s emphasis on teamwork, trust and discipline made it particularly appealing to Defence members.
He said success was rarely determined by individual ability alone, with competitors relying heavily on their teammates both on and off the field, because understanding how the team fought determined whether they were a benefit or a liability.
“Even getting into your gear is a team effort,” Major Convey said.
“Equipment maintenance is essential, and you learn a lot of practical skills simply by maintaining and repairing your own equipment.”
Buhurt clubs can be found in most major cities and Major Convey encouraged Defence members to have a crack.
“There’s a lot of crossover with Defence culture and the sport, discipline, respect, excellence and the teamwork aspect,” he said.
Sergeant Vincent said while the sport had a number of serving members competing, it wasn’t a recognised Defence sport, but it was his dream to form an ADF team.
“Obviously we’d need a patron, so if there’s any senior officers out there looking to back a new sport, there’s an opportunity,” he said.
The National Championships will be held in October in Sydney, where Australia’s best fighters will battle for the chance to join Team Australia and pull on the green and gold at international competitions.
