Modern Knights
Medieval European Full Armored Historic Combat is a full-contact, full-force fighting sport. Originating in Russia, the sport spread from Eastern Europe to the West and is now present on all continents. It is gaining traction in the USA where about 250 fighters are organized in Armored Combat Leagues' (ACL) chapters spanning East and West coast. The fighters practice their skills in chapter wars and at national tournaments where the best ones are chosen to represent USA on international level.
Combatants wear steel medieval armor and use medieval weapons. The armor and weapons, sometimes weighing 80 pounds, have to be historically correct and most armor is based on 14th and 15th century Western European armor. Armored combat combines elements of different martial arts. In melees, kicking, pushing, smashing, shoving, boxing and hitting with weapons, hands and feet is allowed. Little is forbidden, though certain moves like hitting the neck or back of knees is a no-no. Mostly, anything goes. The goal of the fight is to bring opponents to the ground and the team that has the last man (men) standing wins the match. In addition to melees, common ones are 5 vs 5, 10 vs 10, and 16 vs 16, there are point-based duels where fighters use long swords, swords and shields, and arm poles.
Fighters come from all walks of life – carpenters, IT technicians, ex-marines and project managers in investment banking go at each other with full-force. Some fighters have martial arts background, for others it's the first contact sport they're taking part of. Some are attracted to historical aspect of knightly virtues and historical armor and weapons, some love the dynamism of this sport and it's physicality. Injuries are not uncommon, but the dedication of the knights is unwavering. Despite the brutality on the field and occasional broken bones, at the end the sense of camaraderie prevails.























