Our Fighter of the Month is Madison Hartke! Madison has been in the community for a few years, and within that time has not only improved as a fighter but also as a leader to buhurt peers and friends. Congratulations Madison!
| Notable Wins |
| Tournament of the Tower: Gold (5s) Steel Angel Cup 2: Gold (3s), Bronze (Longsword) Claregalway Castle Shield 2024: Gold (pro fight), Silver (pole arm), Silver (3s) Way of Honor 2024: Gold (12s) Tavola Rotunda 2024: Silver (3s) Cincinnati Siege 2024: Silver (5s) Carolina Carnage 2023: Gold (5s) Arnold Sports Festival 2022: Gold (5s) |
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TRAINING FOR ARMORED COMBAT?
3.5 years
DO YOU HAVE ANY BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE IN MARTIAL ARTS OR OTHER SPORTS?
I have been involved in some contact sports since the age of 5. The sports that I feel were most formative to me becoming an armored combat fighter are ice hockey, tae kwon do, and skateboarding. Also, I think it’s important to note that I spent a lot of my youth in mosh pits, which has 100% conditioned me well for this sport.
HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT ARMORED COMBAT AND WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO JOIN?
I was in a very rough spot in 2021. I had lost my job as a stagehand in New York City due to the covid pandemic and was simultaneously dealing with a breakup. While I was bored at home during the pandemic I’d seen some videos on YouTube of some of the mass battle events as well as one of Shoshana dueling so I knew that there were at least a few women involved in the sport. I was looking for a new outlet and also thought this might be a good way to make some new friends. About a week later I ended up armoring up for the first time and haven’t looked back.
DO YOU REMEMBER HOW YOU FELT IN YOUR FIRST FIGHT? CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE EXPERIENCE?
It was at an exhibition event in Central Park. I had only done one soft kit practice before armoring up. I was told most people last 1-2 rounds their first time in armor; I ended up doing a longsword duel and then 6-7 rounds of melee after. To me, armor just feels like I’m wearing hockey gear that weighs a little more. During my fights, especially in melee, I immediately felt the same cathartic release that I used to experience all the years I had spent playing hockey and then some. It felt amazing and I couldn’t wait to do more.
WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED WEAPON? DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR FAVORITE?
For duels I do all formats but I prefer longsword and pole arms.
For pro fight I like my one handed axe and super light punch shield.
For melee I swap around but most prefer 2 hand axe.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE SOME POSITIVE ASPECTS THAT COME FROM THE SPORT?
It’s fun and a great way to make friends and stay physically fit. The community is at its core very supportive and caring to each other, I think there’s a mutual respect for each other because we all partake in such an intense sport. There’s also a lot of opportunities to travel and have adventures; in 2024 alone I got to fight in 3 different countries.
WHAT IS YOUR FIGHTING STYLE – IF YOU HAVE ONE?
In singles formats I’m a defensive fighter; when I played hockey I was a goalie so it’s just in my nature.
In melee I go wherever I’m needed but I prefer to be a flanker.
In general I’m kind of a brawler in how I fight, it’s the city kid in me.
DO YOU THINK FIGHTING CHANGES WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON? HOW HAS IT AFFECTED YOU PERSONALLY?
I’ve definitely made many positive changes to my physical fitness but there are many emotional benefits to this as well that I did not expect. I feel like I was able to grow into someone that the younger me would be proud of today, and that’s what I think this sport is great at doing. Pushing everyone to become the best version of themselves. With the support I have from both the Waffles and the Sentinels I’ve learned a lot about being more in touch with my emotions and learning how to communicate my needs, as well as to be a strong advocate for myself and my teammates. As a fighter I like to be the best friend that I needed when I was younger and I apply that to how I conduct myself both in and out of the list.
WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE FOR NEW PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE SPORT?
Give it a shot! Don’t be afraid to try new things in the sport, we were all beginners once too. For femmes in particular, reach out when you need help with finding resources such as armor or people to train with. Our community is very close and we care very much about helping new people get involved and stay involved in the sport.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO FOR THE FUTURE OF ARMORED COMBAT SPORTS?
I look forward to seeing the femme community grow in our sport, with more competitive events and training intensives for us. I look forward to seeing more continued LGBTQ representation in our sport and the acceptance and inclusion of trans athletes. I also look forward to this becoming a sport that is more affordable and accessible; armor and travel is expensive and having more financially feasible opportunities for fighters and policies that consider the needs of athletes from all socioeconomic backgrounds will open the community up to so much more talent in our sport.
ANY FINAL WORDS YOU WANTED TO MENTION?
I want to thank the original Waffles for taking a chance on me at Arnold’s 2022, and bringing me into the most supportive and positive team and club I could possibly ask for. You guys are like family to me. I also want to thank my home team the NY Sentinels for being the best buhurt big brothers I could ask for and always going out of your way to support not only my own fighting career but also my teammates and the femme community.
Buhurt is love.
