Perfecting hand-to-hand combat

Soldiers tested themselves physically and mentally as part of the Gallipoli Barracks combatives tournament in November.

CAPTION: Australian Army soldiers compete as part of the Gallipoli Barracks Army Combatives Tournament finals in Brisbane. story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photos by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Competitors took each other on in hand-to-hand combat, using skills learnt from the Army Combatives Program and a variety of martial arts.

The six winners on the day were Trooper Nick Fuller (lightweight), Sapper Joshua Knight (middleweight), Private Blake Smith (light middleweight), Sapper Chase Leitch (heavyweight), Captain Dylan Voncina (super heavyweight) and Lance Corporal Grace Taylor (women).

Warrant Officer Class Two Kevin Rogers, of 7th Brigade’s combatives cell, said the activity was a huge success.

“The combat mindset and the tenacity and endurance of the combatants was really impressive,” he said.

“It’s imperative that we maintain the tournament, which tests soldiers’ combat mindset and behaviours.”

CAPTION: Women’s title winner, Lance Corporal Grace Taylor (bottom), competes as part of the Gallipoli Barracks Army Combatives Tournament finals in Brisbane.

Winner of the women’s title, Lance Corporal Taylor, of 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry), trained for more than a month in preparation.

She said it was an incredible experience, and beneficial to everyone who took part.

“It was absolutely awesome being able to unlock that full potential of what you can do with that rush of adrenaline,” she said.

“This was my first year doing combatives and I’ve loved every second of it, and it’s great you can do this in Army.

“The learning environment was so welcoming and comfortable, and it’s not daunting at all because it’s all so professional.”

CAPTION: Australian Army soldiers compete as part of the Gallipoli Barracks Army Combatives Tournament finals in Brisbane. story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. 

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