Orión Maldonado Reyes,
fighter of “Dragones Grises” club,
fighter of the National Team of Mexico
 
 
 … Concerning his way to HMB
I have been engaged in full contact fighting (Muay Thay, wushu, boxing etc.) for long. But when one of my friends told me about fighting in armor, I was stunned, I could not believe that! Then I watched some video and said, “This is what I was looking for!” So, I’ve been engaged in armor fighting since November 2013.
 
 
… Concerning his armor and weapons
My armor is an Italian brigandine of the XIVth century. I’ve chosen it because it is light, it can be used in almost any battle, in “5 vs 5″ and
“1 vs 1″, it is an all-purpose armor.Regarding the weapons… The only real weapon for me is a fighter. Other things that I like to call “tools” only help to express the true art of combat. Sabers, halberds, swords and shields, axes – I like them all.

… Concerning the sport in general
As I’ve said before, I have been practising contact sports since my childhood. Muay Thai helps me to control my breathing in a battle, wushu teaches how to move around the lists and be fluid in combat. Those sports are my basis, but fighting in armor is an entirely different thing! In this sport you have to know a lot, namely the size of the lists, your partners’ positions, the essence of teamwork, and most importantly – be able to control yourself.

… Concerning his fighting features and techniques
Combat mobility is more important to me than unique techniques. It’s cool to see some special techniques in a battle, but you should always be mobile. Never underestimate your opponents. Always show respect.

 

… Concerning qualities needed by any HMB fighter
Good spatial orientation and excellent physical form are necessary, but they are not the most important qualities. Experience is the cornerstone for a fighter. Here in Mexico we call experience «maña», «colmillo» or «callo» and the only way to get it is to fight. Our proverb says “Mas sabe el Diablo por Viejo que por Diablo.” (The Devil knows a lot because he is old, and not because he is the Devil).

… Concerning the training and tournament preparations
For tournaments we always prepare our minds and our breathing. If you know yourself (qualities, weak and strong points), you have already won the fight, you only have to enter the lists and prove that.

… Concerning his favorite category
My favorite category is “21 vs 21″ because it’s a great opportunity to feel like a team with a common goal, namely to “clear” the lists.

… Concerning the National Team
Our first appearance as Team Mexico took place at the Austrian Cup 2014. Great atmosphere, strong opponents – it was a good practice before “Battle of the Nations”-2014. Our second appearance on the international arena was at “BotN” in Trogir where we participated in “5 vs 5″ and “All vs Russia.”

… Concerning “Battle of the Nations”-2014
The result of “Battle of the Nations”-2014 was the experience we gained there and which helped us to develop as a national team and improve our individual fitness, the level of armor manufacturing, and the level of training. It’s nice to travel around the world and learn how other teams train, learn their styles and compare them in a good fight.

… Concerning the most memorable battle
It was the fight against Team Serbia’s captain, Igor Cosic. We fought only one round in “5 vs 5″ but it was really good for me to know that I could fight even having my finger broken and do my best against somebody who is a good fighter and whom I respect.

We had a pending fight against our friends from Moldova, so we needed to conclude it… ?nd of course we wanted to fight against big teams like Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, etc. 
… Concerning the brightest impression at “Battle of the Nations”-2014
Every team was a surprise for me. It was my first “Battle of the Nations”, so I did not know what might happen. Reenactors’ camps had combat atmosphere, the spirit of which we enjoyed.

… Wishes to beginners
I am also a beginner, but I’ve realized that armor is the most important thing in this sport. First, make sure you know yourself well and then choose armor. And I wish you good luck on the lists!

Interview by
Miroslav Eremenko,
HMBIA News