For our July Fighter of the Month, we are shining the spotlight on Spencer Waddell. Spencer was nominated by Jaye Brooks Sr. for his years of experience in the Armored Combat community. With a background in martial arts and as a member of the SCA, Spencer eventually expanded into the Armor Combat field, earning wins for international competitions such as HMB.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TRAINING FOR ARMORED COMBAT?
I have been training in the sport of Armored combat since 2012. When the first group of Americans went over to BOTN/ the World Championships. I was training with the Springfield IL group Black Swan. I got serious about the sport in 2019.
DO YOU HAVE ANY BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE IN MARTIAL ARTS OR OTHER SPORTS?
Shorin-Ryu was my first serious education in martial arts. My 2nd serious interaction was a form of Samurai jiu jitsu (Honto Seishin-Ryu). Where my teachers could trace our lineage to an actual samurai! (I’ll have to look for the chart) I enjoy boxing and have studied various other martial arts such as Hung Gar Kung Fu & African martial arts just to name a few.
After doing research on Yasuke, the African Samurai in 2010’s and talking w/ @geoffrey
_girard & Professor Thomas Lockley during the pandemic. (The authors of the book and hopefully soon movie adaptation of African Samurai: The True story of Yasuke.)
I was filled with resolve to follow in the footsteps of Yasuke, in my own way whether he fact or fiction!
HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT ARMORED COMBAT AND WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO JOIN?
In 2012 some of my Society of Creative Anachronism (SCA) friends found out about Steel fighting and started training. I didn’t have the funds to get into steel fighting at the time, but I trained with them as much as I could. I’ve seen them go over on campaign several times and now it’s my time to follow in their footsteps!
DO YOU REMEMBER HOW YOU FELT IN YOUR FIRST FIGHT? CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE EXPERIENCE?
I do remember how I felt in my first steel fight. It was a 5 on 5 fight. I remember being excited and nervous. At that time I have fought many SCA battles with up to 900 on each side. But, this fight was different, it was so much more intense! I remember turning around to look for one of the other enemy combatants and almost instantly getting trucked and put face first in the dirt.
WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED WEAPON? DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR FAVORITE?
Longsword, abyssinian shotel or Niten Ichi-ryū (two swords) they’re so much fun! But let’s face it I love trying anything new and everything! Me being the nerd I am just played the new street fighter 6 and a character named Lily fought with some very interesting clubs! I must do research and learn their origin!
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE SOME POSITIVE ASPECTS THAT COME FROM THE SPORT?
There is a giant community, the sword fighting community is actually rather broad. Be it Historical, fantasy, or more sport combat (like steel armored combat/ buhurt). Across the board, in any of the aforementioned genres; when you meet people from all across the world and exchange strikes or meet in hand to hand combat, if it was met in good will, you will have friends for life!
WHAT IS YOUR FIGHTING STYLE – IF YOU HAVE ONE?
I equate dueling styles to what would be a form of boxer styles into sword equivalents. A counter puncher will in essence try to draw an attack from their opponent by presenting an opening. This in turn usually creates an opportunity for them to use a defensive maneuver first to make them miss, and return fire with a counter. This is what I do but with swords.Here is a brilliant quote by Bruce who explains the essence of counterattack perfectly: “The counterattack is not a defensive action, but a method of using the opponent’s offense as a means of the successful completion of one’s own attack. The counter attack is an advanced phase of offense…it is the greatest art of fighting, the art of champion.” – Bruce Lee
Some Notable Counter Punchers in the world of boxing are Floyd Mayweather Jr., Pernell Whitaker, Salvador Sanchez.
DO YOU THINK FIGHTING CHANGES WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON? HOW HAS IT AFFECTED YOU PERSONALLY?
I would say that fighting truly does make you more aware of your limits and shortcomings in a physical sense. Steel fighting in general gives you an attitude of yes i can do this, especially after you have gone overseas and fought in the hot spanish sun around 100 degrees fahrenheit.
WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE FOR NEW PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE SPORT?
I would say that for anyone interested, reach out to the nearest steel fighting group. If you are unsure which group is closest to you, reach out to any ACS group or AMCF group and they will gladly point them in the right direction. Whatever they do, don’t buy armor first. There are so many things to do before buying armor. Just basic weightlifting training and working out will help one become a better sword fighter.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO FOR THE FUTURE OF ARMORED COMBAT SPORTS?
Well, I’ll be honest, the future looks really bright! More sword things are becoming mainstream! From the continued success of TV shows like GoT, House of The Dragon, to movie culture w/ the success of the D&D movie & AMMA; it is starting to really gain traction in the Nashville area! More HEMA training places keep opening up as well as Armored Combat/ Buhurt training facilities! I really believe that the sky’s the limit as far as Sword Martial Arts goes, across the entire spectrum!
ANY FINAL WORDS YOU WANTED TO MENTION?
I am to become a World Champion Longsword Armored Combat duelist, as well as help promote all genres of sword fighting and medieval history. Especially, growing steel fighting to its full potential across the world!
