Dannevirke: Bennett's ready to take on the world

Dannevirke's James Bennett dressed in his armour for contact battles he's fighting in Europe. Photo / Supplied

James Bennett began training in jujitsu in Dannevirke when he was just 12, now his passion for martial arts is taking him into medieval combat with hundreds of others in Europe.

James, the son of Dannevirke's Trevor Bennett, leaves today for Malbork Castle in Poland and then Prague to battle it out at the international medieval combat world championships.

While there James will also take part in a mass battle - a buthurt - with 300 others, wearing full armour. And that 30kg of armour isn't just decorative, it's needed for protection.

"In Prague there will be a 300-man scrap with lines of fighters with axes on eight-foot poles which they just drop on your head," James said. "It separates the men from the boys and is the apex of this type of combat."

Poland is the opening leg of the combat battles, where James will be representing New Zealand, with the second leg, the Battle of Nations in Prague.

"It's a slice out of real time, not even sunglasses are allowed," James said.

"I've done all sorts of martial arts, as well as boxing and cage fighting, and I've trained in Thailand, and medieval combat is the pinnacle," he said.

When he's not locked in medieval combat, James is a designer and photographer, working in digital design and animation in Auckland.

"My passion for martial arts and art go well together," he said. "My chance to represent New Zealand in Europe came when I was training with a German long-sword instructor in Dunedin, but this isn't rugby so I've had to fundraise. I've been lucky to have wonderful support from Evan Nattrass of Woodville.

"Evan is one of my oldest mates from the days of the Ravens [the Red Ravens medieval re-enactment group] and he's given me sponsorship."

Mr Nattrass told the Dannevirke News the world of full combat medieval battles is very much a fringe sport in New Zealand, but it's growing.

This is the first time James has competed in a world event.