The May the Fourth LED Saber Championship

[QUOTE=GeneChing;1326639]
Personally, I think ‘real’ lightsaber would look completely different than Jian. We are currently locked within present sword traditions - Kung Fu, Kendo, Escrima & Fencing. Those all consider the edge, and like you say, there’s no edge to lightsaber. Nor does the cut matter. It should look completely different. The closest might be electric saber because they’ve abandoned the notion of edge in how they score now. It’s something I’ve been pondering because I suspect there’s a gap that could be exploited here. But if you don’t mind, let’s take up this discussion on The-May-the-Fourth-LED-Saber-Championship if you want to pursue it.
[/QUOTE]

Yes, a real lightsaber form would look completely different from a real Jian form, in a similar way that a real Jian form looks different from a real Dao (Broadsword) form. I am taking your lead on using the term ‘real’ instead of traditional just to avoid including traditional forms that are not as multidirectional for multiple opponents.

A real lightsaber would have a cutting edge that is 360 degrees around the length (when it hits flesh), a Jian has a cutting edge at only near 0 degrees and near 180 degrees, and the Dao has a cutting edge at only at near 180 degrees.

So in the same way that a real Jian form does not have the free arm implying any support near the blade or any moves that could be used against one’s self, a lightsaber form would probably have the free arm almost always on the opposite side perhaps counterbalancing like fencing but in a multidirectional way…

GeneChing · May 29, 2024, 2:28pm

Agreed

I keep thinking that if someone was imaginative enough to sort this idea, they could find a gap in contemporary lightsaber fencing to exploit. However, I haven’t thought about it hard enough to figure it out.

There is a lightsaber form that is part of canon - see Jedi-Academies.

GeneChing · May 29, 2024, 7:57pm

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YinOrYan · May 30, 2024, 1:56am

[QUOTE=GeneChing;1326803]I keep thinking that if someone was imaginative enough to sort this idea, they could find a gap in contemporary lightsaber fencing to exploit. However, I haven’t thought about it hard enough to figure it out.
There is a lightsaber form that is part of canon - see Jedi-Academies.[/QUOTE]

You inspired me to waste $16.43 on one just to find out, and to start with it was DOA so I had to crack it open and replace the switch which should explain all the scotchtape holding it together. The other 3 switches below, that popped of it, were non-functional ones, which was probably a metaphorical sign of non-functionality right there!

Without even trying to do any forms with it yet, the first gap I would imagine it that it is too bloody thick to get a proper sword grip on, so just whack it out of your opponent’s hand in the direction their fingers are pointing. IDK if this one is up to spec or even a knock-off, but if it was packed solid with any sort of energy source, it would be a bit on the heavy side. Perhaps I will do an experiment and fill it with lead.

That lightsaber form you mentioned was okay with the one hand behind his back, that is, until he turned his back around for all the back-stabbers. Lucky for him she wasn’t one of them, haha

GeneChing · May 30, 2024, 2:32pm

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A short time ago in a galaxy not so far away…READ 2024 Tiger Claw Elite KungFuMagazine.com Championship – May the Fourth be with You! by Gene Ching

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YinOrYan · June 7, 2024, 2:01am

[QUOTE=YinOrYan;1326810]
Without even trying to do any forms with it yet…
[/QUOTE]

These lightsabers are not digital dilldos, so I will reply to myself here. Okay, now that I cleared enough space to try all my sword forms, I have a few more observations to add for anybody that ever wants to create a traditional style form for lightsaber.

First of all, most the moves from a traditional jian form could be used with few exceptions, such as moves where the free hand gets too close to the side the of the blade, like archer type moves. In most these cases I think the free hand could easily be moved to a ready position near the center of the chest. What I previously mentioned about counterbalancing with the free arm on the opposite side of the body would actually not seem helpful like I thought it would, at least for a practical form that moves at least 45 degrees in all horizontal directions. Also, if the tip of the sword really did melt through flesh then not as much energy would need be put into thrusting moves.

Taking moves from the broadsword/dao forms are much more problematic. The inclination to back the blade with the free hand or arm is a very difficult habit to break, especially if you’ve been doing the forms for decades. Even for people that would not have to unlearn that, it would be very awkward to swap-in other positions for the free limb just to keep it out of danger from yourself. Similar moves that are intended absorb impact cannot be used at all. Worse yet are those moves where you roll the blade close around your back, and in some forms even touching your back with the back of the blade. I don’t know if that’s really part of traditional forms, but its something that’s helpful in drunken forms! A minor issue is just the length of the weapon that has to be adjusted to avoid hitting the ground or your own legs, which in itself would be nearly impossible for most people that have ever played much of the game Beat Saber.

One more thing I noticed that has nothing to do existing forms, and that would be the noise a cylindrical blade makes through the air, possibly telegraphing moves with sound. The cheap lightsaber I used did not even come with sound-effects but its lower frequency whooshing sound is probably another factor to contend with.

So much for taking up this discussion until I find too much spare time to fill the lightsaber with lead or batteries and try again!

GeneChing · June 27, 2024, 4:09pm

TCEC 2024: Mason Tong

//youtu.be/v9mS39CoSM8

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Miao-Dao

YinOrYan · July 1, 2024, 8:47pm

[QUOTE=GeneChing;1326964]
//youtu.be/v9mS39CoSM8

[/QUOTE]

Well he proved that a grown-up can do a lightsaber form like an oversized saber, but I sure wouldn’t want a weapon that could feasibly melt flesh that close to myself so frequently!

GeneChing · April 22, 2025, 3:43pm

[h=1]Is the FORCE strong in you?
Register here for the 2nd Tiger Claw LED Saber Championship: https://tckfmc.stormline.com.
ACT NOW: registration closes 4.24.25 This is an open forms division competition available to any style at Tiger Claw Elite Championship May 17 San Jose CA

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2025 Tiger Claw Elite Championships, May 17, San-Jose, CA
Jedi-Academies
The May the Fourth LED Saber Championship[/B][/h]

GeneChing · April 24, 2025, 5:11pm

The Tiger Claw Elite http://KungFuMagazine.com Championship is just around the corner & REGISTRATION CLOSES TODAY - 4/24! This is a preregistration only tournament. Register here: https://tckfmc.stormline.com.

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2025 Tiger Claw Elite Championships, May 17, San-Jose, CA
Shaolin Kung Fu Games
WildAid Tiger Claw Champion
The May the Fourth LED Saber Championship

GeneChing · April 30, 2025, 2:16pm

Registration for 2025 Tiger Claw Elite Championships is closed except for the Showcase Divisions
To register for the 2nd Tiger Claw LED Saber Championship or the 13th WildAid Tiger Claw Championship, contact Gigi Oh: gigitcmedia@hotmail.com or Gene Ching: gene@kungfumagazine.com

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2025 Tiger Claw Elite Championships, May 17, San-Jose, CA
The May the Fourth LED Saber Championship
WildAid Tiger Claw Champion

GeneChing · May 4, 2025, 3:38pm

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Last year, the Tiger Claw Elite Championships fell on May the Fourth, the unofficial holiday of Star Wars fans. We celebrated by holding the First May the Fourth LED Saber Championships, a showcase division where the winner was awarded a custom made lightsaber. It was wildly popular with competitors donning full cosplay uniforms and Grandmasters posing with lightsabers.

On May 17th, we’re doing it again! Join us for the 2nd Tiger Claw LED Saber Championships at the San Jose Convention Center. Held in cooperation with Terra Prime Light Armory, the U.S. national governing body for Light Fencing, here’s your chance to show the galaxy that you are the chosen one. This is an open forms competition - anyone can compete!

Registration is still open for this showcase championship. To register, contact Gigi Oh (GigiTCMedia@hotmail.com) or Gene Ching (Gene@KungfuMagazine.com).

*The Tiger Claw Elite Championship is a pre-registration only competition. Registration remains open only for the 2nd Tiger Claw LED Saber Championships and the charity event, the 13th WildAid Tiger Claw Championships

It’s Star Wars Day!
2025 Tiger Claw Elite Championships, May 17, San-Jose, CA
The May the Fourth LED Saber Championship

GeneChing · May 13, 2025, 3:47pm

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Event Schedule

Friday May 16th: 6:30 – 8:30 PM: Welcoming Banquet

World Gourmet Buffet, 6010 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont, CA

Saturday May 17th: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Tiger Claw Elite Championships

San Jose Convention Center, South Hall, 435 South Market Street San Jose, CA

Schedule of Events:

7:00 AM: Volunteer & Judges check in

8:00 AM: Doors open to the public: Competitors check in & Judges’ meeting

8:45 AM: Tiger Claw Elite Championships Opening Ceremony [Center Stage]: National Anthems & Welcoming remarks

9:00 AM: The 14th Tiger Claw Elite KungFuMagazine.com Championships Opening Ceremony [Ring 5]: VIP introductions, VIP remarks & Judges entry march.

9:30 - 5PM: The 14th Tiger Claw Elite KungFuMagazine.com Championships [Shaolin Kung Fu Games, CMAT Wushu, Traditional Kung Fu, Team events, & First Timer]

3:00 PM: Showcase divisions – WildAid Championship, LED Saber Championship, & Team competition

6:30 PM: Award Ceremony & Master Demonstration

2025 Tiger Claw Elite Championships, May 17, San-Jose, CA
Shaolin Kung Fu Games
WildAid Tiger Claw Champion
The May the Fourth LED Saber Championship

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The May the Fourth LED Saber Championship

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