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RNZ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Kiwi knights do medieval battle in niche sport of buhurt
Some have rugby or football as their sports of choice, but an Auckland group spend their free time donning full suits of medieval armour, and battling it out with swords and shields. While extreme sports like the 'Run It Straight' events have caught headlines recently, Buhurt is a combat sport with a keen eye on safety - although it's not without risk. Training at a warehouse on Auckland's North Shore, these noble knights say it's all about the community. Knights of Dreadnoughts Medieval Combat prepare to do buhurt battle. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi Dreadnoughts Medieval Combat is one of two buhurt groups in Auckland, meeting to train in Beach Haven, and fighting it out at events across the country and internationally. Club captain Colm O'Brien was off to the United States to compete later this year and explained all the pieces that go into a fighter's armour. "Down here is the sabatons, that's what covers the feet and protects any accidental foot shots," he said. "We've got a vambrace here, which covers my forearm, we've got another elbow cup, we've got the upper arm here and we've also got the helmet." The name 'buhurt' came from an old French word, meaning to wallop or batter, and even with all the armour, the sport has risks. "We don't really see as many injuries as something like rugby even," O'Brien said. "We do have roughly 35-40kg armour on ourselves, so it's not too bad, but knee injuries are really bad and sore shoulder injuries are very common." Club captain Colm O'Brien will take his buhurt skills to the United States this year. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi This reporter put the armour to the test, donning a helmet and getting hit in the head with a falchion sword. While it wasn't painful, the jolt of the blade connecting to the helmet was shocking and caused a slight ringing in the ears. O'Brien said much of the equipment came from offshore. "A lot of the equipment, it's difficult to get in New Zealand," he said. "A lot of this stuff comes from Ukraine and Poland and a lot of Eastern European countries. "There's a big following of the sport there, and they, funnily enough, have fantastic armour smiths and metal protection there," Vice-captain Ethan Wilson said the buhurt community in New Zealand was still growing. "It's still a niche sport," he said. "There'd be around 50-60 active fighters in the country, which isn't horrible, but it could always be better." Wilson said getting into the sport was easy: "Find your local club, go along for a training." One fighter, Devon Hansen, said she had done buhurt for about a year-and-a-half, after seeing it on Tik-Tok, and her favourite part was the people. "Glad to punch these people up, but hug them afterwards." Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi "You start for the sport, you stay for the people," she said. Even after taking a wallop in the arena, known in the sport as a 'list', O'Brien agreed, it was all about the people. "I'm not injured, bit tired alright," he said, exiting the list. "It's very draining, but happy I've done it. "Glad to punch these people up, but hug them afterwards." He had advice to offer those wanting to get involved. "Don't be scared of it, it's just another sport. "We'll start you off easy. You won't be going straight into the armour, but you'll have a lot of fun in the meantime and also make a lot of friends on the way." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Find Your Perfect Companion: The Refreshed Martin Junior Series Is Here
NAZARETH, Pa., April 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ever wish you had a guitar that felt just right in any situation? A companion, ready for anything? One that could hang with you on the road, cozy up for a writing session on the couch, and sound incredible every step of the way? Meet the Martin Junior Series—refreshed, refined, and ready to go wherever the music takes you. This isn't just a makeover. It's a full-on glow-up. The Junior Series now features a full 24.9" scale length—a big step up that gives players that familiar Martin feel they know and love, all without sacrificing the comfort and portability that made these guitars favorites in the first place. Every model is built with solid tonewoods like spruce and sapele for that signature Martin warmth, clarity, and depth. And now, every guitar comes equipped with Martin E1 electronics and an onboard tuner, so you're always ready to plug in and play out. Need help finding "the one"? Martin has your back with the Companion Finder—a fun, fast way to discover which Junior model best fits your vibe, sound, and style. Whether you're drawn to bold Dreadnoughts or compact 000s, there's a match waiting for you. From all-new models like the 000 Jr E Sapele and D Jr E StreetLegend® Burst to refreshed favorites like the 000C Jr E, D Jr E, and 000C Jr E Bass, this lineup is full of personality—and full-scale tone. Add in comfort-focused upgrades like gently beveled fingerboard edges, refined string spacing, and sleek satin chrome tuners on select models, and it's clear: this is the Junior Series, all grown up. Wherever you're headed—backstage, beach house, bonfire, or beyond—your full-scale companion is ready when you are. Anytime. Anywhere. Explore the refreshed Martin Junior Series at or find your perfect match with the Companion Finder. ABOUT C. F. MARTIN & CO.® C. F. Martin & Co. has been making the finest handcrafted acoustic guitars for nearly two hundred years. For some of the biggest names and the most revered musical legends across every genre and every decade. And we've been doing it with pure artistic passion, a deep love for all things music, and an unwavering commitment to our community and the environment. But most importantly, we're still doing it... for you. For current and future generations of pioneers, rebels, and dreamers. For the beginners, the pros, and everyone in between. We believe music is an unstoppable force. It raises us up. Tells our truths. Gets us on our feet. Expresses our deepest heartaches. And our greatest joys. So, we'll continue to make the very best acoustic instruments and strings for as long as there are people like you who love music and love making it. We want to be there to help you tell your story. To help you share your music with the world. To help unleash the artist within. We're ready for the next two hundred years. Want to come with us? Visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE C.F. Martin & Co. Sign in to access your portfolio
