Star Wars Comes to Life: Adelaide’s Growing Lightsaber Combat Scene

In a recent interview on ABC Radio Adelaide’s SA Afternoons program, Mikhayl Sensei from Kyushin-Ryu Australia discussed the growing popularity of lightsaber combat training in Adelaide. The martial arts instructor, who teaches students across various locations from Gawler to Port Adelaide and Mount Barker, shared insights into this unique blend of Star Wars fantasy and martial arts training.

During his conversation with host Sonya Feldhoff, Sensei Mikey highlighted the captivating appeal of lightsaber combat, noting “There’s just something very iconic about that white glow and swinging something around over your head.” He explained how students progress to learn advanced techniques, including “disarms and takedowns and very epic movements.”

The discussion came ahead of the Saber Skirmish 2023 tournament in Adelaide, showcasing how this Star Wars-inspired martial art has developed into a competitive sport. Recent tournament medalists included William Hein (bronze), Luke Hein (gold), and Nathan Sayers (silver), demonstrating the growing competitive scene in the region.

The brief interview, running just under three minutes, highlighted how Kyushin-Ryu Australia has brought the iconic Star Wars combat style to life through structured martial arts training across metropolitan Adelaide, giving fans a chance to train like real-life Jedi.