I am happy to present to you our May Fighter of the Month – Alexander Straub, aka Xander as I’ve always known him since I first met him back in 2020. Xander has been steel fighting for a few years now, and every time I interact with him he is so full of energy and is super passionate about steel fighting. Congrats buddy!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TRAINING FOR ARMORED COMBAT?
I started my training in August 2020; my first time in borrowed armor was April 4th, 2021, and my first time in my own suit was later that month.
DO YOU HAVE ANY BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE IN MARTIAL ARTS OR OTHER SPORTS?
I did a little bit of everything as a kid, starting with skiing at the tiny age of 3. My parents had me out and about in sports for almost all of my childhood: soccer, basketball, baseball, aikido, football, wrestling, snowboarding, biking, etc.
Most of my time in sports was between ages 3-15. I played in a local kickball league in my adult life, but I just couldn’t seem to find a physical activity that motivated me until Buhurt.
HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT ARMORED COMBAT AND WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO JOIN?
I blame Colton for this. They tricked me into going with them to the Knights Hall for a practice night. To be honest, I truly didn’t believe it was real fighting and assumed it was just some kind of LARP activity.
After I showed up the first time, I just had to see it through.
DO YOU REMEMBER HOW YOU FELT IN YOUR FIRST FIGHT? CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE EXPERIENCE?
My first real fight was against Gavin Houle. It was 5 rounds of 90 seconds in a Knight fight. It remains my most memorable fight. I had Chuck Goodwin cornering for me. I remember the crowd and all the lights. It felt crazy. Gavin and I came out swinging as hard as we could with no mind for throttling. After my first round, Chuck gave me a simple note I’ll never forget: “You gotta let your grip relax between rounds.” It was then I realized the death grip I held on my sword. Round 2, my arms were so tired all I could do was kick and move my body. Round 3, my body stopped knowing how to move and the head-butting began. In the moment, I had forgotten the egg-shaped knot on my forehead courtesy of sparring Cat Brooks. It split open. Waiting for the judges’ deliberation, blood trickling down my face, Chuck reminded me to breathe, another truly necessary piece of advice… I’d wanted nothing more than to be done but was too stubborn to give up.
By round 5, I think Chuck realized I needed the only sane advice that any seasoned Buhurt fighter can give: “You are not going to die.” I genuinely did think I was going to die that day… and that brought the biggest smile to my face that I can ever remember.
I took the win, adrenaline-filled, exhausted, and blood-covered.
It was magical.
WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED WEAPON? DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR FAVORITE?
I love my first and most memorable sword “Krahen” taken from the German word “Caw in glee like a Crow”. My best friend from childhood, Claire, believed in me and got me this weapon that has lasted my entire fighting career, from my first fight to every medal I’ve ever achieved.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE SOME POSITIVE ASPECTS THAT COME FROM THE SPORT?
This question could be an entire interview on its own if I allowed it, so I’ll summarize it with bullet points.
- Motivation in self
- Motivation in fitness
- Teamwork
- Sportsmanship
- Pushing your body to its limits
- Community
- Camaraderie
- Connection with others of different backgrounds
- Travel
- History
- Dreams
- Purpose
- Healing
- Therapy
WHAT IS YOUR FIGHTING STYLE – IF YOU HAVE ONE?
Teamwork and a relentless dedication to fight another round.
For me, my fighting style comes from my need to support and free up my teammates. I want to help them find glory, assist their strengths, and open up my opponents for their assaults.
DO YOU THINK FIGHTING CHANGES WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON? HOW HAS IT AFFECTED YOU PERSONALLY?
It’s weird because I’ve never been a fighter. I wasn’t the type to get into fights. I enjoy competition but never consider strength as a proxy for communication and fairness.
For me, the biggest change has been in confidence. I can walk into any situation and think, “Well, I just dang almost fought for my life last weekend, why should this be scary?”
It’s helped my body positivity, and feelings of inadequacy, and has helped me feel strong and calm.
WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE FOR NEW PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE SPORT?
My best advice is: armor is the last thing you need.
Join a community, support events, watch some matches, ask questions, and train train train! A strong foundation and consistent training will take you further than any armor ever could. The time for armor will come.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO FOR THE FUTURE OF ARMORED COMBAT SPORTS?
Sponsors. Support. Recognition.
It still surprises me that we haven’t found more traction in sponsorship worldwide. We athletes give so much of our lives to train and fight, and I want to work together to gain the support of the sports world. The goal would be to support the training we need without the weight of the cost of food, gym memberships, training costs, travel costs, armor costs and repairs, and the emotional weight of all of the time it takes with the balance of family and jobs.
I look forward to the day that we get the support of the precessional sports world without losing the drive that allows this community to say “Buhurt is Love.” We can only do it if we work together.
ANY FINAL WORDS YOU WANTED TO MENTION?
I just want to thank everyone who chooses to be a part of the Buhurt community: fighters, support, family, armorers, elders, and newbies.
Without all of us, this would only be a dream. With all of us, we continue to make this a reality.
