Saber Combat Academy Ltd. completed their first year of trading and celebrated with a massive inter-school tournament that pitted Plymouth against Torquay in a fight for supremacy. Since then, SCA have been conducting biannual tournaments to test their students and to find their top fighters, most improved students and to see where all can better improve their skills. The tournaments are competitive but friendly and reward those who have trained hard.
December 2017 – Christmas Tournament, Torquay
The first tournament was a roaring success with 12 combatants taking part with an equal spread between Plymouth and Torquay. Torquay students possessed the advantage of having a years worth of training to Plymouth’s six months since they started. The tournament was full of highs and lows, epic battles took place and a victor emerged.
Torquay student Wayne Batchelor took first place with fellow classmate Edward Stewart in a strong second place. Third went to Plymouth’s Tom Russel. The most improved student for that year was Torquay’s Charlie Runciman. Torquay as a school took the lead with a 1-0 victory over Plymouth.
June 2018 – Anniversary Tournament, Plymouth
On their home ground, Plymouth had a lot to prove. With more training under their belts and a thirst for battle, challenges were made across the classes and the tournament was set on the anniversary of the first Plymouth Lightsaber class a year earlier. Battle commenced and the tension in the air was palpable to say the least. Last year’s champion was unseated, slipping into second place while his son, William Batchelor claimed first place. Joint second was Plymouth’s Tom Russel. Max Darke of Plymouth, was rewarded for his dedication and commitment with the award of most improved student.
Torquay edged out Plymouth to make their lead 2-0.
December 2018 – Christmas Tournament 2, Plymouth
Back in Plymouth, the guantlet was thrown down by Torquay who still maintained their strong lead over the Plymouth class, but with more experience on both sides, it was hard to call. During the tournament, there were some excellent moments of combat caught on camera for our highlight reel. In the end, it was David Giffard who triumphed and claimed the Champion title, with Tom Russel in a close second. The former Champion retained some dignity in holding the new title of Most Stylish fighter, a new category that encourages flow during combat.
Over all, Torquay were still able to hold onto the school victory by having more students in the top ten than Plymouth. 3-0 Torquay.
Highlights of this tournament are availabel on Facebook, follow the link!
Christmas 2018 Tournament Highlights!
April 2019 – Prostate Cancer UK Tournament, Plymouth
Our final tournament to be held in our former venue of Hele’s School. The tournament was held to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK, a charity who do wonderful work. It was chosen as many student’s and instructor’s lives have been touched by the disease. With fourteen combatants, the duels engaged. There was plenty of sweat, tears and a little blood during combat where, once again, the boundaries of lightsaber combat were pushed to create some of the most thrilling engagements yet. David Giffard was unseated, with near-constant runner up Tom Russel claiming victory by a single point overall. David came second overall, with William once again being crowned as the Most Stylish fighter. On top of an excellent tournament, we were able to raise £145 for Prostate Cancer UK.
Plymouth edged out Torquay in the final points, giving them their first school victory. 3-1 Torquay.
Highlights of this tournament are available on Facebook, follow the link!
April 2019 Highlights!
December 2019 – Christmas Tournament
The December Tournament was the alrgest held by SCA, 18 fighters competed over 5 grueling hours. In the end, William claimed the title of Champion from Tom, marking his 2nd victory at SCA. Tasanee was awarded the Most Stylish fighter and Cameron was awarded the Most Improved Student award.
With the closure of our Torquay class, the inter-school element was disregarded for this tournament.
SCA gave half of the Tournament proceeds to Prostate Cancer UK, raising a further £130.
HIghlights posted on Youtube, via our production partners Blue Aurora Productions.
December 2019 Highlights
2020 Tournaments were postponed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Due to return in Winter 2021.
November 2021 – Winter Tournament
Returning after nearly two years, the class was rusty and had only 6 months back at classes to prepare for the tournament. In those six months, we were joined by many new faces who took to the classes like ducks to water. The tournament began with 15 fighters, all hunting for that number one position. In the end, Tom once again claimed the title of Tournament Champion to equal William’s record of 2 championship wins, recieving the golden graflex trophy. Tas retained her Most Stylish award from 2019, the first champion to retain in any category and the tournament was a great success.
https://fb.watch/aUPUSXXVlj/ – Watch the highlights here!
Winter 2022 – SCA Winter Tournament
After a unfortunate circumstance interupted the 2022 Summer Tournament, meaning it was cancelled, the excitement for Winter 2022 was palpable. Tom returned to defend his title and Champion and Taz returned to defend her crown as Most Stylish. However, this year saw the introduction of a new title… The Ultimate Champion. Points taken from the total scores of both duelling and style would see the tournament environment flipped on it’s head as the top duellists rarely placed highly in style. Clashes were epic, with students from the newly formed Exeter class joining for their first taste of formal combat against Plymouth. Younger students impressed veterans and a new, unbeatable force came to be. Long term student El placed first in both Duels and Style, crowning her as the very first Ultimate Champion! El achieved a great victory by unseating Tom and Taz as long running champions.
Highlights available here!
Summer Tournament ’23
Fighters from Exeter, Taunton and Plymouth met in fast-paced, action packed combat in our largest tournament to date. 17 fighters all in over five hours did everything they could to claim the top spots with it coming down to the wire for the final points.
Mike claimed top spot in duels with an undefeated run of 16 wins and Max took first place in Style.
Max was crowned ultimate champion and took home the Golden Graflex trophy, to be defended this Winter.
https://youtu.be/J-iXm9HtLlM?si=JS7krWOij3tP8LY2 <– View the Highlights here on our revamped YouTube channel, and as always Like/Subscribe for more content!
Winter Tournament ’23
Max was set to defend his Ultimate Champion status in a fiery tournament. Members from all schools met in combat and produced some epic encounters. The tournament was fully live-streamed for the very first time to an international audience of over 600!
As the dust settled, Theo was crowned Duel Champion with an impressive 15 wins, Max was crowned Style Champion with 41 points. A special mention to Paul G who came 2nd in Style after working hard on this aspect of our syllabus all year.
Once again, Max was crowned Ultimate Champion, retaining the title for another year with a grand totaly of 72 points. Once again we mention Paul G for his impressive 2nd place over all with 71 points!
If these two continue to work this hard on their skills, Winter 2024 is set to be an epic clash!
https://youtu.be/0rorlc63cSU – Check out the Winter 2023 Highlights here!
Summer ’24
Coming June 29th 2024 – Millfield Fencing Salle, Taunton.
“A friendly competition with duellists attending from all Four SCA classes all over the South West of England. For the very first time we are deploying our Exotic Weapons category for use in a tournament.”
Saber Combat Academy Ltd. 