By day, PhD researcher Jade Clarke delves into genomes looking for markers of accelerated ageing but, by knight, she dons 35kg of armour and weaponry to fight in buhurt - the little-known, full-contact, combat sport where participants dress in historically accurate armour and battle it out using blunt steel weapons.
- How PhD genomics research and medieval combat mix
- Armed to the teeth, QUT researcher swaps crunching data for wielding axe and shield in unusual sport
- The sport of buhurt combat is taking her to Hungary to fight for Australia in the World Championship
- Higher degree research and fighting like it's 1599 are "mutually beneficial"
- Hours of dedicated mental and physical training needed to run the gauntlet in this full-contact sport
Jade is in the second year of her PhD research in bioinformatics in the Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health in QUT's School of Biomedical Sciences, and is about to go to Hungary with fellow fighter and partner, Nicholas Donnanto to compete in the Buhurt World Championships against fighters from 31 countries.
Taking on a PhD in biological data science and going 'to war' in medieval armour are two huge commitments that do have some mutual benefits, says Jade.
"I think that they interactively help with my confidence because in research you have to speak in public and defend your research and in buhurt you must compete in front of people, two things that weren't really on my must-do list until I had to do them.
"In buhurt (and in research) safety and rules must be strictly adhered to - we fight with genuine metal swords and axes that despite having blunt edges can still deliver a heavy blow," says Jade who belongs to the Brisbane Beasts buhurt club in Albion.
"The rules are strict – no strikes to the back of the knees or groin area, the feet when on the ground, the front of the neck or the back of the neck and head. All other areas, including those not protected by armour, are all legal striking zones.
"I fight with a buckler, or small round metal shield, and an axe in the other. My preferred weapon is my buckler as it delivers heavy strikes, is useful for grappling and is handy for blocking my opponent's line of sight. I also like using an axe as it is easily used in wrestling but can still be used for striking."
Jade came to buhurt only a year ago after two of her Dungeons and Dragons group had invited her to assist at a tournament.
After being exposed to the sport and falling in love with the community, Jade was hooked.
She had done kick boxing and boxing previously and had spent time a lot of time in the gym, so she was well versed in a martial art and picked up the technical side quickly.
It is a gruelling, highly physical sport. The layer upon layer of padding and articulated metal armour (Jade's entire kit, though made of titanium instead of the usual steel, still weighs 35kg) restricts movement, creates a lot of heat and buckets of sweat (some participants have been known to put ice cubes down their thickly padded jackets or use leaf blowers to cool off).
"To fight at an international level, we have team training four times a week with personal training in between.
"I work on strength and conditioning, power, cardio, pell work, dynamic movements, stability and foot work to condition my body for armour and to prevent injuries while being agile enough to effectively fight another team.
"We also practise battle tactics, team plays, judo throw and wrestling. It's not only highly physical it is also mentally stimulating because you learn to stay calm and make tactical moves in absolute chaos.
"You always start with a plan, but that plan lasts only a few seconds before you must collectively adapt as a team to the ever-changing battlefield environment."
The Buhurt World Championship are held in the grounds of the medieval Visegrad Palace in Hungary from 16-20 July.
Jade's club is the Brisbane Beasts.
