Nikolay
     Losev




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Nikolay Losev,
documentary photographer
Knife Fight

Knife Fighting is a safe combat sport that helps participants develop concentration, quick decision-making, strategic thinking, and athleticism to best their opponents in a highly dynamic environment. The knives used in this sport are made of pliable rubber, and all participants wear protective gear on their head and body to ensure safety.

In September 2013, the All-Russian public organization "Russian Federation of Knife Fighting" was established with the primary goal of promoting the recognition of sports knife fighting as an official sport in the Russian Federation. Sports fights are conducted using special equipment and sports knives that incorporate an electronic system for strike fixation, which was created and patented in Russia.

People from various backgrounds participate in knife fighting, including those who already practice martial arts and those for whom this is their first experience with martial arts. Participants come from diverse professions, such as designers, lawyers, builders, and programmers. Although knife fighting as a sport also attracts women, on average, there are significantly fewer female participants, with about 9 out of 10 fighters being men.

Given the serious crime situation in the Russian Federation, especially in remote regions, many young people carry knives as a means of self-defense. This context may contribute to the interest in knife fighting as a sport and the development of related skills.


May 30, 2021
Russia, St.Peterburg
Sports Club 'Volna'

Ruslan Mukhametdinov - Knife combat athlete. 34 years old.
April 25, 2021
Russia, St.Peterburg
Weapon Fighting Club 'Sphere'

Vladimir Boldin - Weapon combat athlete, 26 years old, real estate consultant, with 4 years of experience in weapon fighting. 
“Knife fighting is a serious, adult discipline; it is not for children. However, I prefer a sword to a knife,” says Vladimir.
May 30, 2021
Russia, St.Peterburg
Sports Club 'Volna'

Oleg Khlynov - Knife combat athlete. 46 years old. Manager of social and cultural technologies, teacher - choreographer. Has been engaged in knife fighting for about 30 years. "I like the mixed format of martial arts and the love of cold weapons," Oleg says.
May 30, 2021
Russia, St.Peterburg
Sports Club 'Legion'

Alexandra Goloborodko - Knife combat athlete, 25 years old, engineer, has been engaged in knife fighting for 3 years. "I'm tired of feeling weak and unable to defend myself; I want to protect myself," Alexandra says.
April 4, 2021
Russia, St.Peterburg
Sports Club 'Volna'

Dmitry Varjushin - Combat knife instructor, 49 years old, a livestock specialist by education, with 14 years of experience in knife fighting and 12 years as a knife fighting instructor. He is also an instructor on traditional knife fighting at the 'Danza Macabra' club. For Dmitry, this is now his main occupation. "Knife fighting gave me a team of like-minded people," Dmitry says.
April 25, 2021
Russia, St.Peterburg
Weapon Fighting Club 'Sphere'

A reproduction from the book "The Flower of Battle" by Fiore dei Liberi on the wall of the Weapon Fighting Club 'Sphere'. The author of this book was a weapons master from Italy, active in the 14th and early 15th centuries. After fifty years of training Italy's elite, he committed his art to paper, creating "The Flower of Battle."
April 25, 2021
Russia, St.Peterburg
Weapon Fighting Club 'Sphere'

Igor Grigorev - Knife combat athlete. 60 years old. Actor, TV presenter, artist, playwright.
May 30, 2021
Russia, St.Peterburg
Sports Club 'Volna'

Alexander Soloviev - Knife combat athlete. 44 years old. He works as a repair technician for washing machines and dishwashers.
April 25, 2021
Russia, St.Peterburg
Weapon Fighting Club 'Sphere'

Training stick fight.
May 30, 2021
Russia, St.Peterburg
Sports Club 'Legion'

Martial arts dummies on the floor of sports club 'Legion'.
April 4, 2021
Russia, St.Peterburg
Sports Club 'Volna'

Vladimir is practicing flanking with checkers.
May 30, 2021
Russia, St.Peterburg
Sports Club 'Legion'

Sergei Perelygin - Combat knife instructor, 38 years old, businessman. He graduated from the Lesgaft National State University of Physical Culture, Sports and Health, Department of Boxing, Faculty of Martial Arts. With 14 years as a knife fighting instructor and former head of the St. Petersburg branch of the Tolpar Knife Fighting School, he is also the co-author of the self-defense course with a knife, "Wolf." "Knife fighting classes allowed me to realize myself as a person, as an instructor. Finding something in life that allows you to realize yourself is very important. I am proud of Katya Lukyanova as my greatest achievement as an instructor. She became the absolute champion in all the competitions in which she participated," says Sergey.
April 25, 2021
Russia, St.Peterburg
Weapon Fighting Club 'Sphere'
May 30, 2021
Russia, St.Peterburg
Sports Club 'Legion'

Rakhnova Irina and Dmitry Safronov - Knife combat athletes.
Rakhnova Irina, 43 years old. Economist-manager. Dmitry Safronov 38 years old.
May 30, 2021
Russia, St.Peterburg
Sports Club 'Legion'

Oleg Khlynov - Knife combat athlete. 46 years old. Manager of social and cultural technologies, teacher - choreographer. Has been engaged in knife fighting for about 30 years. "I like the mixed format of martial arts and the love of cold weapons," Oleg says.