Camille "CAMTAR" Medjkouh Boulain, a formidable French fighter with five years of melee and two years of duel experience, embodies the spirit and determination of women in medieval combat sports. Competing under the banner of Tenebris Bestia, Camille brings her unique blend of strength and strategy to the buhurt arena, In this interview, she shares insights into her recent participation in a central French tournament at Parthenay, detailing her preparation, team dynamics, and the exhilarating moments that define her journey in this intense and demanding sport.
Name : Medjkouh Boulain
First name : Camille
Nickname : CAMTAR (1)
Club : Tenebris Bestia
Nationality : French
Year of duel and melee experience : 5 years in melee and 2 years in duel
(1) : note from the translator, Camtar is a French slang for a truck.
1. Why did you participate in this tournament ?
Parthenay is a central tournament in France where all the biggest French teams are present. In the women's category, the teams have always been there. It's also one of my very first tournaments, I experienced my first buhurt emotions there. It has become a tradition.
2. Did the team have a defined tactic ? Are you satisfied with the results ?
Yes, in 3vs3 the strategy can be different from 5vs5. We wanted to be relatively balanced between the mobile/static elements focused on combat (tower more on the sides). 3vs3 can quickly go awry and the excess is unforgiving.
We had three fights. The round Marianne(2) is a French specificity allowing women to fight more during the day when there is a reduced number of women's teams.
We also wanted to always have changing strategies or positions so as not to create a habit.
I had a more static position at 1 and 2 (hatchet/buckler) in order to block the bigger girl in the other team, while my colleagues did the work in pairs. I had to alternate with my colleague for a mobile axe position on match number 3.
Unfortunately following an accident we had the last fight 2 against 3. It obviously changed our strategy but it was very exhilarating.
(2) : note from the translator, what is a round Marianne ? Instead of one fight with 2 winning rounds, the fighters will have to compete in 2 fights of 2 winning rounds. Twice the fun !
3. How did you prepare for this tournament (sport, diet, mental preparation) ?
I do a lot of bodybuilding and combat sports all year round, but I recently changed my program to include more plyometrics and explosive and balance work. Alongside I include aerobic exercise or interval training on the bike as well as interval sprinting. I always adapt the training 5/7 days before.
In terms of diet, I'm gaining weight in preparation for Way of Honor. I have no mental preparation as such, even if I try to have a healthy routine the day before with my teammates (no alcohol, sleep, mobility exercises, pasta, etc).
4. Tell us about the best moment you experienced during the event ?
During our last fight, 2vs3, we were extremely angry. We had a rage with my partner : a successful takedown followed by a charge in the back on an opponent which also put her on the ground. But it's a team effort, I couldn't have done it without my partner.
5. Tell us about your equipment : weight, century, weapons of choice ?
My weapon of choice is the two-handed axe. In melee and duel.
My armor weighs approximately 27 kilograms and is dated around 1350-1380.
6. What is your next buhurt event ?
My next buhurt event is Way of Honor in Germany with Les Lys de France(3). A team created especially for the occasion.
(3) : note from the translator, the name of the team means “Lilies of France”.
7. A quick word for your club, your opponents, the organization, Buhurt International ?
I am part of the Blinois buhurt club but not having a women's team yet I fight with the Tenebris. Both bring me a lot.
I'm more than happy to be a part of Tenebris Bestia. Angoulême Béhourd, the club attached to the Tenebris, is a club that I like. I feel that I am progressing a lot with them, both technically and humanly: they are golden girls.
The opposite team, the Hardies de France, showed resistance and sportsmanship in the face of Jeanne's injury. I thank them and hope to meet them again soon. Some of their members in the Parthenay tournament will be part of Les Lys de France at Way of Honor.
The round Marianne system validated by the French Federation has been very well applied for several tournaments. It’s a very good system for getting women’s sport off the ground in countries with few female participants. I hope Buhurt International maybe could take inspiration from it.
Photo by Zoom en Lice, Anthony Hamidovic, Tenebris Bestia Interview by Dany Drobnjak Translation from French to English by Orphée Hagenstein Editorial Aleksandra Lebdowicz