Sean Krachun: Kraken, The Krakenslayer. Sean was one of the first few fighters from out of state I met in my early days of joining Armored Combat. The after parties are quite memorable with Kraken around, and to this day I still remember the shenanigans and the outstanding dress (I am pretty sure it was sparkling) he wore at a small New Years Eve party we had at The Knights Hall. I can best describe him as a hilarious individual but also kind hearted, a good fighter and leader and I can see why my comrades here at the Hall speak highly of him and suggested his nomination for our Fighter of the Month.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TRAINING FOR ARMORED COMBAT?
I have been training for armored combat for just over 6 years.
DO YOU HAVE ANY BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE IN MARTIAL ARTS OR OTHER SPORTS?
All through my younger childhood I was a Track and Field kid. I’ve competed in the Junior Olynmpics a few times in High Jump, Discus, and the Pentathalon. I played soccer for a couple years when I was a small child, and through Middle School played football (middle Linebacker and defensive captain) until blowing my knee out in Eighth grade. It’s pretty amazing how effective a torn ACL, MCL, LCL, and meniscus is at tanking your athletic career for a while.
HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT ARMORED COMBAT AND WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO JOIN?
I was helping one of my buddies move his mom’s storage unit to a new place and we got a call from another one of our buddies. I pick up the phone and he goes “Hey, what are you doing tonight?” and I said whatever my plans were. He just responds with “Not anymore. You know how Marissa loves to bake? Well they’re filming an episode of Cake Boss a block from my place. Apparently there’s gonna be knights and shit there!”
So I went out to this place and watched them film Cake Boss before they had a regional chapter meet. I remember having to use the bathroom and walking by all of these people in armor feeling super intimidated by some people I didn’t know at the time would be some of my best friends in the world.
I found out the Philadelphia Rhinos practiced at that location and started going to practice the following weekend.
DO YOU REMEMBER HOW YOU FELT IN YOUR FIRST FIGHT? CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE EXPERIENCE?
Oh man. My first fight was supposed to be a knight fight against a guy from New York. My dumbass at the time thought that it would be a great idea to eat nothing but carrots for a week to make weight (protip: that’s a bad idea). I make my travel up to The Knight’s Hall and as I’m in the freight elevator on the way up I’m nervous. I’ve never done this before, and now I’m going to be in a 12’ by 24’ cage for the format of fighting I’ve been told is the most vicious you could get in America. What was I thinking? But I maintain my composure and find my way into the room where I’m greeted by Cat and a few other members of the Hall.
Cat says to me: “Kraken right? Your guy didn’t show up, but we found someone who trains here to fill in.”
It’s my first fight, in the most vicious style it can be, against someone whose trained at the best location in the states. Nervous was an understatement.
WHAT IS YOUR PREFERED WEAPON? DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR FAVORITE?
I often find myself as a fighter with either a short 2 handed axe or a falchion and buckler. I’m not a big fan of the strapped punch shields.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE SOME POSITIVE ASPECTS THAT COME FROM THE SPORT?
As a result training for Armored Combat, I went from 180 pounds with a 38 inch waist, to 180 pounds with a 30 inch waist. From there I’ve gone up to about 200 pounds now, and I have to wear 34 inch pants with a belt just to keep my thighs in. Physically if you train hard for this sport your body will change drastically.
Socially my friend circle really changed from the people whom I’ve lived around and known forever to an array of different people from around the country. The amount of socialization which happens in our sport is a great way to really open up your horizons.
WHAT IS YOUR FIGHTING STYLE – IF YOU HAVE ONE?
I’ve been a tank and I’ve been a runner. I don’t like to, but I have been pretty decent at turtling up in a corner for a beatdown while the rest of the team is making moves. I much prefer to be running and causing chaos on the field.
DO YOU THINK FIGHTING CHANGES WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON? HOW HAS IT AFFECTED YOU PERSONALLY?
Fighting has definitely had an impact on who I am as a person. Let alone the sheer confidence you have walking around in real life knowing that you’ve been hit in the face with an axe, it’s really helped me coordinate things better. I think because of the way these organizations work I’ve gotten better at planning and communicating to people in my day to day life. I’ve spent countless hours reading books, watching techniques, and learning more about coaching in general. I think, in spite of all of the head trauma, I am a smarter more competent person.
WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE FOR NEW PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE SPORT?
Find a local team. You’re going to have bad ideas. Ask your questions and don’t take it personally when you’re told they’re bad. No one is going to stop you from running with your bad ideas, and hell, if it’s fun never stop. But when you find something which you were told about and did anyway, don’t be afraid to admit you made the mistake on that. We’ve all been there.
Find what aspect of this makes it fun for you, and do that as hard as you can. Nothing’s worth doing if you’re not having fun.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO FOR THE FUTURE OF ARMORED COMBAT SPORTS?
I’m going to be really short sighted on this right now. After 2020, I’m super excited that we’re starting to have events again. I’m really excited that we have a full 10 week season planned in the Atlantic region this fall. I’m honestly just really excited I get to hit my friends and then hang out with them again.
ANY FINAL WORDS YOU WANTED TO MENTION?
Our community might not be giant, but we’ve still got a ton of little niches in it. Find the people you like and hang out with them when you can. Even if one of them lives in Colorado, one in Nevada, and another in Florida, you’ll get your time at big events to hang out with your people.
Put your time in, have fun, and make friends.
