27 August 2024
Five warriors wearing armour and carrying imposing weapons manoeuvre into position to engage their opponents.
This is not a section attack but the opening phase of a medieval combat sport called Buhurt.
At the centre of the squad is Signaller Ellis Williams of Army’s 7th Signal Regiment.
Signaller Williams recently represented Australia in the Trans Tasman Buhurt Cup at Tauhara, Taupo, New Zealand, as a starting member of one of Australia’s 5 v 5 teams.
Described by Signaller Williams as mixed martial arts (MMA) in a team-based environment, while wearing authentic mediaeval armour with mediaeval weapons, Buhurt is an historical sport that was revamped in 2007 in Eastern Europe, before spreading around the world.
Fighters compete individually or as teams, and attempt to defeat armed opponents by knocking or wrestling them to the ground.
'The weapons and armour we use are historically accurate, weigh up to 45 kilograms and are built to the same specifications used in the 1300s and 1400s – the only change is that the weapons have a blunt edge in order to make the sport safer for the participants.'
Team competitions can range from 5 v 5 or 12 v 12, up to massive battles where 300 competitors take the field.
“Buhurt came to Australia in 2011, but I only joined the sport two years ago after being introduced to it by an Army physical training instructor in Melbourne,” Signaller Williams said.
“The weapons and armour we use are historically accurate, weigh up to 45 kilograms and are built to the same specifications used in the 1300s and 1400s – the only change is that the weapons have a blunt edge in order to make the sport safer for the participants.
“Most of the armour and weapons are made by full-time blacksmiths operating from workshops in Eastern Europe.
“Like MMA, there are strict rules aimed at minimising the chance of injury such as ‘no striking the neck’, ‘no striking a kneeling or lying opponent’ and ‘no thrusting or stabbing attacks’.”
Earlier this year, Signaller Williams travelled to South Carolina in the US to compete in Carolina Carnage 2024, one of the largest Buhurt tournaments in the world, where he placed second overall in the one-on-one heavyweight division.
At the same tournament, Team Australia (of which he was a member) placed 6th out of 35 teams. About 450 fighters from North America, South America, Europe and Australia competed.
'Many of the techniques you learn in the Army combatives program are directly relevant to Buhurt – you’re trying to control an opponent who is wearing armour and you’re trying to get them onto the ground without going down yourself.'
Signaller Williams credits his success in the sport largely to his Army training.
“Many of the techniques you learn in the Army combatives program are directly relevant to Buhurt – you’re trying to control an opponent who is wearing armour and you’re trying to get them onto the ground without going down yourself,” Signaller Williams said.
“In addition, this is a high-stress environment where you’re trying to avoid getting hit in the head with an axe or a sword while trying to communicate with a team mate, so the ability to stay calm and focus on the task at hand is something that we train [for] regularly in Defence.
“That’s why we see lots of the high-level fighters in the sport come from a military background, particularly the Special Forces, both here and overseas.
“In fact, there are teams of US Army veterans that are really good at Buhurt.”
Coming off the back of his achievements in the US and New Zealand, Signaller Williams has his sights set on his next challenge.
“Next year the Buhurt World Championships are being held in Europe,” Signaller Williams said.
“They’re held every two years and I'm hoping to go and represent Australia in the one-on-one division and hopefully earn a spot on the podium.
“It’s highly competitive, with about 100 countries taking part, each with their own unique fighting styles and ways of winning.”
