Tag: Russ Mitchell

Interview with Bartitsu Practitioner Michael Sanders: Learning a System that Practices What it Preaches

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Michael Sanders first began longsword almost half a decade ago and wanted to find something he could train during the summer months, without dying inside the sparring gear. He stumbled on Bartitsu, a Victorian-era martial art blending self-defense, striking, and grappling techniques, and has yet to look back. Sanders sat down to share his insights … Continue reading Interview with Bartitsu Practitioner Michael Sanders: Learning a System that Practices What it Preaches

Interview with Starbird Academy Instructor Kat Laurange: All the Things!

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An avid Star Wars fan, it did not take a lot of convincing for Kat Laurange to try out light-based fencing with the now-defunct Kyber Combat. At the same time, she was training winged sabre with Russ Mitchell, who headed Starbird Saber Academy. In 2023, Laurange took over instructional responsibilities and, just like training in … Continue reading Interview with Starbird Academy Instructor Kat Laurange: All the Things!

Interview with Histroical and Light-Based Fencer Russ Mitchell: The Melding of Historical and Lightspeed Saber

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Russ Mitchell first began historical fencing while in Hungary conducting graduate research. After traveling around for historical fencing, he came upon Lightspeed Saber during a tournament and began it on a whim. Then he was hooked. He founded Starbird Saber Academy and Winged Sabre at Warlord Combat Academy. Today, Russ discusses how historical fencing and … Continue reading Interview with Histroical and Light-Based Fencer Russ Mitchell: The Melding of Historical and Lightspeed Saber