![]() Modern Agonistics is not a style, art or system. It is simply a format for training, experimentation and competition with weapons. The goals of the participants range from cross-training, self-defense and thrill-seeking, to craftwork [like weapon and armor fabrication] and attempts to reconstruct extinct fighting arts. Practitioners of over two-dozen fighting arts have utilized this format since 1998 without sustaining serious injury. Participants have been both male and female and have ranged in age from 11 to 65; in size from 75 to 375 pounds, and in experience from novice to professional. Most participants have been males in their late teens and early twenties. We have no dues, rituals, traditions or barriers. This is simply a network for combat weaponry enthusiasts. We are just a curious group of fighters. If you want to participate you are welcome. Our motto is "as real as you want it".
Agonistics is an ancient Hellenic term that translates as "contest-preparation". The root is Agon meaning "contest". The English word agony was borrowed from the ancient Greek term for "contestant's suffering" referring to the trials of a combatant. This is admittedly a terrible term to use in modern America, as virtually everyone misreads agonistics as agnostics which is also from the ancient Greek and means "no knowledge" and is used as a self-descriptive term by people who are not sure about the existence of divinity. My favorite misreading of agonistics was when the Baltimore City Paper ran our ad for a seminar at Sifu Clark's in 2005 as Modern Antagonistics. Some guy called me and wanted to know if we were a network for hate groups.
Bag Work
Building Stick Stroke Mechanics: Answering A Video Coaching Request From Athenian Alex APR/02/15
‘Sci-fi Male Solipsism’
Beauties in Beast Mode: Why Are So Many Men Applauding Masculine Women? By Jack Donovan AUG/02/14
MAY/29/14 | ModernAgonistics
Song credit: Mustard Pimp - Pharaohs Camera: Erique Watson Highlights Reel of The "Alpha Brawl #1", an exhibition match between James (jean shorts) and CharlesMay 18, 2014. The prize was a black sash, a gift from Arturo Gabriel, given to him by Billy Bryant. Modern Agonistics is a free and open community of weapon dueling enthusiasts, based in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. We do not capitalize on this video. More information at ( www.JamesLafond.com )
APR/26/14 | ModernAgonistics
Song credit: Faith No More - War Pigs Highlights Reel of THE SHANKING (April 19, 2014) Modern Agonistics is a free and open community of weapon dueling enthusiasts, based in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. We do not capitalize on this video. More information at ( www.JamesLafond.com )
Ghetto She-beast versus Boxer-babe
A Real Boxing Self-defense Story from Harm City, Maryland APR/15/14
Backyard Valhalla
The Worst Combat Idea Since the French Knights Decided to Walk a Mile in the Mud at Agincourt: Agonistics Anonymous DEC/16/13 |
![]() ![]() ![]() In June 2018 James LaFond, an urban blight journalist from Baltimore, Maryland, was driven from his hometown by savage tribesmen. With a writing income of $230 per month, he was sustained by readers across the nation. The journals in this collection were written during that period.
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