For this month, we are shining the spotlight on Christopher Torok. Chris has been active in the steel fighting community for the past 2 years. Within this timeframe, he has grown tremendously as a fighter. His hard dedication to the sport and training with his team earned him the spot as Co-Captain for the South Jersey Pine Barons, which is why after speaking with Sean Kraken he felt Chris was a worthy candidate for Fighter of the Month.
Photo Credit: Jojo McCarvill
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TRAINING FOR ARMORED COMBAT?
Since I joined 2 years ago just before the Pandemic, after a lengthy break and then as soon as I was able went right into training.
DO YOU HAVE ANY BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE IN MARTIAL ARTS OR OTHER SPORTS?
I partook in Football as a lineman then the next year was positioned as a tight end. Then during the off-season, I partook in wrestling for the same amount of time.
I also took lessons in Boxing, MMA, and BJJ but was never able to get too far at the time
HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT ARMORED COMBAT AND WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO JOIN?
My most memorable thought was while attending college and seeing what I believe was the Battle of the Nations Event and thought how cool it was but growing up never seeing anything worth vesting being where I’m from once being back home, Then after a few years being home, I came across Knight Fight through Youtube. After completing the whole season, I figured I would give it a try and see if there was anything close by, and wouldn’t you know it? I had one not too terribly far from me, led by the Handsome Kraken and lovely Jojo.
DO YOU REMEMBER HOW YOU FELT IN YOUR FIRST FIGHT? CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE EXPERIENCE?
In my first true fight, in a Scrimmage with the Iron Lions lined up I wasn’t nervous, or panicked, just pure joy and excitement. That of course only lasted until a few moments later when I ended up eating dirt from a crosscheck to the back from Josh Kearney, but hey that’s part of learning. But that high still carried on way past that event, the mixture of sensations (or depravity of them being in helmet) it’s really something to experience.
WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED WEAPON? DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR FAVORITE?
Favorite weapon? Phew, I’m in that mindset where I can’t judge until I’ve used all weapons before making a serious claim like that. But generally, when it comes down to it I always find a two-handed ax at my side for most fights.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE SOME POSITIVE ASPECTS THAT COME FROM THE SPORT?
Lots, a loving community there to support and help you, drive you forward to be your better self. It helps give me focus in a lot of instances where I’m trying the things I’ve always wanted to do as a young child working with armor. It also helps me look outward outside of my normal day-to-day routine, to name a few things
WHAT IS YOUR FIGHTING STYLE – IF YOU HAVE ONE?
For the longest time I’ve held the list from some big and powerful people, and if I can help it, I will not go down without a fight. I don’t like going down easy and making someone earn their takedowns on me.
DO YOU THINK FIGHTING CHANGES WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON? HOW HAS IT AFFECTED YOU PERSONALLY?
I strongly believe this changes from person to person, but as for me, it has been a healthy outlet where I no longer lose composer out and about without a lot of exterior troubles to sway me. Plus, just constantly seeing how much I have improved always makes me want to see how much further I can go.
WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE FOR NEW PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE SPORT?
GO TO YOUR LOCAL TEAM AND GO TO PRACTICE.
Practice is important, more important than looking for armor, talking about armor, or thinking about armor. After going to practices you can see how you can prepare yourself, plus you will be able to talk to the team members who have been there the longest and get their opinions, experiences, and inputs. It’s all new and exciting but don’t get too far ahead, you’ll get there. Just got to practice – it will help in the long run, and armor will eventually be there later.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO FOR THE FUTURE OF ARMORED COMBAT SPORTS?
I cannot wait for this sport to continue to grow and get its due attention as it deserves. I do honestly believe it would rival the major MMA fights because unlike them, we have so much to offer. Then we may yet see new systems be implemented to help our community and ourselves in many ways!
ANY FINAL WORDS YOU WANTED TO MENTION?
Don’t ever stop driving forward, a little bit goes a long way, how much you put in is how much you’ll get out of your practice. Tomorrow is a new day, but today is now, how are you planning on spending it?
