Experts from modern self-defence systems, Japanese fighting styles and samurai and western sword arts gathered at Willowburn Sports Centre on Sunday to raise the cash for Cancer Research UK.
The course was hosted by Alnwick’s Directional Fighting Method Club (DFM) and featured Evasive Self-Defence System, Wado Ryu Karate, DFM, Aikido, sword art Kenjutsu and martial western sword fighting.
DFM instructor Phil Doherty said: “It was a fantastic action-packed day with a great range of techniques on display from some of the region’s top instructors with the added bonus of raising funds for a very important charity.
“One of the many highlights of the day was a match between Kenjutsu sword expert Andy Thoburn and western sword master Robert Brooks.”
Both Sensei Thoburn and Master Brooks teach real sword techniques originally used on battlefields and duels in centuries gone by, one system from the Far East the other from Western Europe.
The first time either of them had faced a swordsman from the opposite hemisphere the friendly duel started tentatively, each weighing the other up before launching into a flurry of parries, cuts and thrusts with the training swords.
Both the similarities and differences in tactics and techniques saw first one man gain the cut and then the other as they feinted, counter-striked, parried and thrust at each other, Japanese dai-katana against a European backsword, a weapon used in Britain during the 17th and early 18th centuries.
Phil said: “This wasn’t Olympic fencing where points are awarded, this was real martial sword play with no rules.
“It was exciting to watch as they were equally skilful in their understanding of the bladed weapon and it was impossible to say who had advantage. It was a delight to watch and thrilling.”
Throughout the day students learned techniques and principles covering ground fighting, evasion, throws, locks and takedowns and striking from the different systems and also Ninjutsu’s kusari fundo, a short length of chain with a steel weight at both ends used to entrap arms or to strike at an attacker.
Directional Fighting Method Alnwick Club meet every Wednesday from 7.15pm Willowburn Leisure Centre and Friday as St Michael’s Church Hall, Canongate, Alnwick, from 7.30pm. The club also runs kick-boxing on Wednesdays at Willowburn Leisure Centre, 7.15pm. Beginners and other martial artists welcome.
Telephone Phil Doherty on 0191 4204987 or Darren on 07967 724064 for further details.