The force awakens in Lexington: Saber league brings 'Star Wars' duels to life
- Alexandria Landgraf
- 22 hours ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 13 hours ago
In a galaxy far, far away — or at least, in Woodland Park — the hum of sabers cuts through the quiet, their clashes echoing as opponents battle with precision on the snow-covered ground.
The Lexington Saber League, a local group that trains in performance-driven improv dueling inspired by Star Wars' canonical seven saber forms, isn't just playing pretend. They're turning a fantasy into a real-world sport.
In 2019, saber dueling was officially recognized as a competitive sport by the French Fencing Federation, earning the same status as the Olympic blades: the foil, épée and sabre. This development brought the iconic weapon from George Lucas' epic franchise out of the realm of science fiction and into the arena of legitimate martial arts.
Specifically in Kentucky, there has been a growing community of saber enthusiasts, dedicated to bringing the visually captivating duels from the silver screen to reality.
"Kentucky has a long history of saber groups starting in 2007," Jonathan Thompson, a Jedi Grand Master said. "The groups have been growing steadily, and our league was formed to provide a competitive yet theatrical approach to saber dueling."
This emphasis on competition and performance plays out in the unique structure of their duels, where each combatant follows specific strategies based on the saber form they've mastered.
"In a typical duel for our group, one person is on offense, the other on defense," Jonathan said. "If the attack lands in the correct target area, the strike is counted. Arms and legs are worth one point, while the chest and head are worth two points."
But just like a Padawan mastering the Force, newcomers have to start somewhere.
"When you start, I like to call them initiates," said JJ Vires, a Sith Warrior in the league. "They start by learning Shii-Cho, the first form, which is basic. It's all about getting them familiar with theatrical dueling and making sure they can practice safely without hurting anyone or themselves."
Once they pass a trial showing they've mastered Shii-Cho, they choose a side: Jedi or Sith.
"After that, they move on to more advanced forms and learn systems for two-on-one dueling," Vires said. "As they progress, they take trials to demonstrate mastery of each form and earn their rank."
Mastery, however, isn't just about technique, it's also about how well the body adapts to the intensity and variety of movements required.
"It's a full-body workout," Vires said. "I always try to break the habit in people I train early on, we're not line dancing. We're not just moving back and forth in one spot. We use the entire space. I've seen duels take place across the whole field, in every direction. You're constantly using your arms, legs and your entire body to get into it."
All of the discipline and training comes to fruition as the members move up the ranks, where they can focus on the style and performance just as much as mastering the technique of the forms.
"Performance is at the core of what we do," Jonathan said. "Sometimes, opponents will let me spin or do a flashy move without interfering to keep the duel exciting. Even in trials, when we're testing someone's form, performance matters."
The league's focus on performance and the theatrical part of dueling opens doors for some intergalactic opportunities, from local events like the annual Christmas parade in Asheville to teaming up with the Lexington Legends.
"The Lexington Legends has been very memorable," Jonathan said. "They contacted us for Star Wars Day, where they do a Star Wars-themed baseball game. We've dueled before and after the fireworks. So we've done that for two years and it is pretty insane."
While the saber duels draw in a crowd, it's the strong sense of community within the league that encourages people to keep coming back.
"We're a small group, but we're really close," Vires said. "Even if someone isn't up for dueling, they can come hang out, chat and enjoy the social atmosphere and watch some cool fights."
This sense of camaraderie extends beyond the thrill of the dueling ground, it's also about uplifting and encouraging each other's growth along the way.
"One of my most memorable moments was helping an initiate learn Shii-Cho," Vires said. "It was really fulfilling to be part of their journey and see them pass the trial. The trials are much more serious compared to our regular practices, but it's a really rewarding experience to see people succeed and test themselves."
The league has created a place where anyone can pick up a saber, fan or not, and be embraced by a welcoming community.
"There's often a stigma around being a 'nerd, but we want to provide a space where people can express themselves freely, without judgment," said Mike Thompson, Dark Lord of the Sith and co-leader in the league.
The league also helps members harness the Force within, cultivating members' skills that extend past combat and into their everyday lives.
"The biggest lesson l've learned as a leader is patience," Mike said. "Organizing practices, dividing tasks between teachers and students, making sure our progress is tracked to make practices as efficient as possible, it's a big responsibility."
While leadership comes with its challenges, Mike is always quick to encourage others to take the leap.
As Grand Master Yoda wisely puts it, "Do or do not, there is no try."
"To anyone interested in joining, just do it," Mike said. "Don't let hesitation hold you back. You don't need a background in martial arts to start. I didn't have one when I began, and you don't need to know everything about Star Wars either."
The league often holds their sessions on Wednesdays around 5:30-6 p.m. at Woodland Park, right in front of the white gazebo. They can be seen there every week starting in March.
"There's one direction you can take it, that its people just swinging glow sticks around with no real care to it," Mike said. "We look at it as an official sport that's fun and brings people together ... that really is just fencing with glow sticks."
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