Second Annual National Lightsaber Tournament

This past weekend was the second national Saber Legion Lightsaber Tournament, and the start of a new convention: "Sabercon".

For the past few years the Saber Legion has been building itself up from a small group of friends who shared an interest in Martial Arts and Star Wars in their hometown

To a nation wide group of fans and friend with currently over 5,600 members. With multiple national and state level events per year. There's even a few growing international charters.

Not to mention growing list of sponsors from companies well outside of its focus (and hometown) such as Brooklyn Brewery (Who often sponsors the after party):
http://brooklynbrewery.com/events/2017/1/28/the-saber-legion-presents-saber-resolution-mn

Various online Coverage:
http://nerdist.com/star-wars-lightsaber-saber-legion-jedi-combat/

News outlets such as ESPN: https://www.facebook.com/TSLcombatLLC/videos/627540777426156/?fallback=1

And even international recognition thanks to charters like this one in Nova-Scotia:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/halifax-lightsaber-duelling-club-1.3699679

Traditional martial arts companies have taken notice and actually started producing Saber Legion specific gear that blurs the line between cosplay and functional protection. This gear is rated for both Saber Legion safety standards AND Steel long sword fencing.

The tournament and convention is split across a 3 day weekend beginning with a casual Friday meet up and sparring day, the main standard tournament and the "exotics" league on Sunday where the rules allow for almost any kind of lightsaber like weapon you can think of.

And the entire thing is live streamed from YouTube and Facebook with full commentary and coverage

We're here to have fun, and no one takes it too seriously. Competition runs high but everyone knows how to be a good sport.

And often have their own entrance performance before the match

The matches are first to 10 points within the given time frame (or most points within that time frame). And a sudden death style match to end matches that go into overtime with a draw in points. The entire body, except the fingers, is a target.

Points accumulate fast as strikes often come with lighting speed

And the action can at times be hard to keep up with

The standard tournament is single sabers only. They allow the use of a Katana style "Tsuba" (Hand guard, often added to an existing hilt) for a little extra finger protection. Hands count as a target but, again, not the fingers.

The Exotics bracket is open ended and allows for just about any lightsaber like weapon competitors can build and wield.

Some of the sabers seen in the exotics bracket definitely live up to the bracket namesake

And much like real world melee weapon based battlefields, pikes and spears rule the day

These tournaments are for fun but also hand out some great prizes. From patches and medals, to lightsabers themselves donated by many of the Saber Smith's who sponsor the event

Even Championship belts for first place

Fighters come from a huge variety of backgrounds. Both in martial arts (and skill levels) as well as ethnicity (and culture).

Though the league is largely male dominated, there are a handful of female fighters getting in on it as well

Sprucing up your armor and melding it with cosplay is encouraged

While the main event of the 3 day convention is of course the tournament, there were plenty of Vendors selling Sabers and other merch on show as well.

Even the kids get in on the action

The event also drew big names from the Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) community. With Richard Marsden and Axel Petterson making appearances and holding seminars. The main, single saber, tournament was actually won by a prolific Hema Fencer this year. Dethroning the reigning champion, a Kendo Practitioner.

The seminars focused on fundamental sword fighting skills and techniques as well as introducing many of the fighters to another weapon based martial art. One where much of the safety gear used comes from.

If you wanted to join up and find a charter in your area, join the group as linked below and ask for someone to point you in the right direction.

We currently have groups and fighters representing about 27 or so states, and growing every day.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesaberlegion/

http://www.saberlegion.org/

More footage available here
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVzVJhEELb1Bju8xvaOVntg

https://www.youtube.com/user/KpaZ342