Our September 2024 pick is Adam Harrigan who has been in the community for a few years. Congratulations Adam!
| Notable Wins |
| Buhurt League World Cup 2023 Gold medal 5v5, IMCF Gold medal 2024 5v5, 10v10, 16v16 ACS Nations Gold 5v5 2020,21,22 ACS National Middleweight Profight champion 2022 HMB Nationals Middleweight Profight champion 2022 HMB BOTN qualifier Team USA 1 2021, IMCF qualifier Team USA 1, 2021-2022-2023 |
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TRAINING FOR ARMORED COMBAT?
I started training for Buhurt in November of 2019 in preparation for the Arnold Classic in Columbus Ohio. Shortly after COVID happened and my other plans fell through and began devoting my time to Armored Combat Sports
DO YOU HAVE ANY BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE IN MARTIAL ARTS OR OTHER SPORTS?
I played Soccer but mostly studied Parkour and Medieval Boffer weapon combat in the game Amtgard. Where I have dedicated over 20 years of study in sword/weapon combat, group combat, and battle-gaming. In that game, I am recognized as a Master of Individual and group combat.
HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT ARMORED COMBAT AND WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO JOIN?
My friends Brett Skinner, Brennon, and Charles Harris were getting into armored combat. I thought it was pretty crazy at first. When we opened the Warlord Combat Academy I was the fitness instructor and was helping them prep for tournaments and really training with the whole team. They convinced me to come to a local tournament and try it out, and the rest is history.
DO YOU REMEMBER HOW YOU FELT IN YOUR FIRST FIGHT? CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE EXPERIENCE?
I’ve had a ton of experience in group combat from my LARP background, so I wasn’t too worried from an awareness perspective. But I definitely didn’t want to get hit. My first thought was to flank the enemy team and cross-check someone off their feet.
WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED WEAPON? DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR FAVORITE?
I fight with a hand axe and buckler as they let me feel the most natural. The hand axe when weighted appropriately to allow for more acceleration and precision can find its way into gaps and lightly armored places. People probably know me for hitting shins quite often, and hands/arms. Precision over everything else in my opinion is the best with the hand axe. I also like to dabble with 2 1 handed axes and enjoy studying Polearm/Long axe fighting
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE SOME POSITIVE ASPECTS THAT COME FROM THE SPORT?
Personally I live my life from a point of always trying to evolve and adapt from the weaker parts of our being. Buhurt puts very clearly into perspective your weaknesses and provides the crucible to develop yourself. We see many people who come from non-athletic backgrounds shape themselves into medal-winning fighters, weak, skinny, heavy or slow. Everyone develops themselves for the better, and the sport has a way for that person to express themselves on the field. They just have to figure it out.
WHAT IS YOUR FIGHTING STYLE – IF YOU HAVE ONE?
Book of the Rings and Tao of Jeet Kune do. If I had to say I have a style it is found within the pages of those books. Adaptation, Insight, Self-Expression and Mindfulness.
DO YOU THINK FIGHTING CHANGES WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON? HOW HAS IT AFFECTED YOU PERSONALLY?
Yes. Fighting more than anything else will bring out your inclinations, revealing hidden strengths and weaknesses. If you want to ascend and grow you’ll likely have to face some internal challenges. I know I certainly have. Some people don’t, but more often than not I can identify fault points where someone is stunted in their growth. If the goal of Martial Arts and Sports is self-expression and success then there are going to be challenges that come with progressing both.
WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE FOR NEW PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE SPORT?
Spend time to do your research and physically prepare yourself, and prepare your gear. A Lot of people get into this sport wanting to “just put on armor and mess around”(which is fine), but it comes with exposing yourself to a large amount of risk to simply mess around. This sport can be extremely hazardous and deserves the respect of your attention and caution when you decide to put on armor/training.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO FOR THE FUTURE OF ARMORED COMBAT SPORTS?
Competitive scene development. As the sport grows and gains mass exposure I’m excited to see what kinds of athletes we can grow, and which can join the fray. It’s like seeing MMA guys go do Jiu Jitsu or Boxing. I want to see what kinds of athletes we can make, and what kinds of athletes choose to join our sport and make it stronger.
ANY FINAL WORDS YOU WANTED TO MENTION?
Drop your ego and push your limits. We’ve all only got one life on earth. Dare to dream big, and grind for it. You’ll thank yourself when you’re older.
