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SATURDAY - MESSER TOURNAMENT
Day 1 of MAFO is a messer tournament. Fighters will compete in Beginner and Open divisions using a pool-to-bracket format, with short, fast-paced matches that reward clean technique, control, effective afterblows, grappling, disarms, and smart fencing.
Every competitor will get multiple guaranteed pool matches before advancing into seeded elimination rounds and medal fights. Custom medals and special prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in each division.
Expect a competitive but welcoming atmosphere focused on good fencing, good sportsmanship, and plenty of Messer community energy. This tournament will be recorded in HEMA ratings and will result in Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals. Those winning gold will win a prize.
Full tournament rules are available to download below.
SUNDAY - MESSER SEMINAR
Sunday is where we stop keeping score and start having fun!
Join Kai Tomas and TJ Catron for a full-day Langes Messer seminar built around historical techniques, personal fencing strategies, gamified drills that help you spar better. We’ll pull actions from the historical sources, mix them with the combinations, setups, footwork, and tactical choices we use in our own sparring, then put everything under pressure and see what survives.
Expect plenty of movement, partner work, experimentation, and sparring. We’ll also introduce new games and rulesets designed to explore the historical contexts of Messer dueling (would you go to jail for this, ect)
The seminar will run for most of Sunday with a one-hour lunch break.
Historical Langes Messer plays and concepts
Techniques, combinations, and setups we actually use in sparring
Footwork, distance, timing, and creating openings
Swordwork techniques used in sparring
Partner drills and games that progress your skills
Guided and open sparring
New rulesets and fencing games to change how you might think of a historical duel
Testing ideas against people you don't fence every week
Messer around. Find out what works.
WHAT GEAR SHOULD I BRING?
Here is some guidelines and rules for what swords and gear to bring to our tournament and seminar.
Weapon Requirements
MAFO is a steel Langes Messer tournament, and all weapons must be safe for full-contact HEMA sparring and pass inspection before competition.
HEMA-safe steel Langes Messers are preferred.
Some simple-hilted arming swords will be permitted if they meet tournament specifications.
No complex guards, saber guards, fully enclosed hand protection, or Kriegsmessers.
Weapons must meet our requirements for length, weight, blade width, flexibility, edge condition, and tip safety.
Some approved loaner Messers will be available first come, first served.
Please download and review the complete Weapon Requirements before bringing a weapon to the tournament.
Required Protective Gear
For this tournament, all competitors are required to have:
350N fencing jacket
Fencing mask
Back-of-head protection
Gorget / throat protection
Steel-rated gloves
Knee protection
Elbow protection
Shin guards
Some loaner gear will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Availability is not guaranteed.
PRIZES
Along with awarding medals, our top gold medal winners in each division will be awarded the following prizes
GOLD MEDALIST IN BEGINNER DIVISION
GOLD MEDALIST IN OPEN DIVISION
SEMINAR INSTRUCTORS
Kai Tomas
TJ Catron
OFFICIAL SPONSORS OF MAFO
CONTACT US TO BECOME A MAFO SPONSOR
Frequently Asked Questions
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MAFO’s beginner division is only open to those
- Who have 2 years or less experience with continuous HEMA practice
- Are not an instructor in any HEMA discipline
- Have competed in no more than 3 tournaments
- Have never Medaled in a tournament
If you meet one or more of these criteria, please sign up for Open -
Doors open and gear check will begin at 8am on Saturday morning.
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No, while we appreciate the enthusiasm and want to encourage everyone, due to the expected popularity of this event we ask you only sign up for one.
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Steel messers or other steel swords that can be used like messers. Simple crossguard with nagel, designed for safe HEMA sparring.
For more information on what swords are allowed, download our Sword Parameter Guide above. -
Ludus Ferocia Historical Combat in Norfolk, VA - 5000 Colley Ave, Norfolk, VA
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Let the director know you don’t wish to grapple due to a disability and we will enforce a no grappling match to ensure everyone has access to an inclusive, safe tournament.
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We are using a basic weighted system. Head and core are 2 points. Limbs are 1 point. Doubles and afterblow will score points based on priority. Did you successfully parry an afterblow after scoring? That comes with a bonus point.
Additionally, we have a unique rule where if the initial strike is on the sword hand, no afterblow will be considered.
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We will have training weapons and some gear available to lend but it is first come first serve. It is recommended you bring what gear you can.
Minimum Required
Fencing mask
Gorget
Steel rated gloves
Back of head protection
Fencing jacket
Knee/Elbow protection
Shin Guards
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Experience is not necessary to enter either tournament.
However the beginner tournament will be restricted to people who have not won a tournament, are not instructors of any capacity, have competed 3 or fewer times, and have fewer than 2 years experience.
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Ludus Ferocia has a 5000 square foot building with bathrooms, AC, and a lounge area. There are two large rooms that will house the two rings and the seminar. There is also plenty of room to rest and decompress.
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Parking is very limited on our street (Colley Ave). All street parking is available but avoid parking at businesses or in the apartment complex next to us. All overflow parking can use the Colley Executive Offices parking lot down the street.
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Please see our gear guide section of this page
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In 2026, we will not be having a URG division but it is our intention as this tournament grows, to include one in coming years!
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We are at the center of Norfolk, VA with plenty of hotels, motels, airbnbs and more. We have major chain hotels like Holiday Inn, Marriot, and others just minutes away from our address. Search for “Hotels near 23508” for more.
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Yes
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Yes!! We are awarding medals for first, second, and third place in each division. We are also awarding first place (gold) in each tournament with a sword.
LOCATION OF TOURNAMENT AND SEMINAR
LUDUS FEROCIA HISTORICAL COMBAT (AT THE UNIVERSAL COMBAT CENTER)
5000 COLLEY AVE, NORFOLK VA 23508
WANT TO HELP OR HAVE A QUESTION?
We’re looking for judges, directors, and scorers others to help staff the event! Contact us here if you wish to help or have other questions about MAFO!