Buhurtines: Love Forged in Steel

This Buhurtines, we’re celebrating two couples whose journeys may have started differently — one longer, one more recent — but whose love for buhurt (and each other) burns just the same.

photo by Mary George - The Medieval Lady's Photography

JD (Sweden) & George (UK)

George and JD met during the BIWC in Visegrád last year, as both were on the UK team (JD in the 12s and George in the 12s and 30s). They kept bumping into each other over the week; however, George didn’t quite catch JD’s eye (maybe due to the heat, sweat, and fatigue). At the airport, while awaiting delayed flights, they began to talk in earnest. Despite the lack of sleep, time flew as George attempted to flirt between discussions about different jiu-jitsu techniques. JD was oblivious to the flirting attempts until a few days later over text, when George boldly called her the real-life Uma Thurman.

They then discovered, to their (and their clubmates’) horror, that they compete for the biggest rival clubs in the UK — Invicta and Northern Wolves. #EnemiesToLovers

Two weeks later, they arranged a “secret” date at Loxwood Joust under the excuse of extra profight training — though no one believed it, as they were quite unsubtle about their crushes. Since then, they’ve alternated weekends between their locations and clubs, bridging the North-South divide. They’ve fought together at Way of Honour and Torneo Del Alpi, fought against each other in Claregalway, and will both compete at the next SKF.

Away from the list, JD teaches George Olympic weightlifting, George has reintroduced JD to chess, and they try random sports like squash and bouldering together.

Over Christmas, George travelled to Sweden to meet JD’s family and chased her cats around the house to clip their claws — instantly winning (and losing) their approval.

Three weeks ago, George took a knee and asked for JD’s gauntlet in marriage!

Molly and Daniel (Australia)

Dan and Molly met in a very unlikely place — a medieval theme park called Kryal Castle in Victoria, Australia, where Dan trained with the Western Wolves on site in the evenings.

An unsuspecting Molly, who was a roaming actor there at the time, stumbled across the team training one day and went, “I need to make my whole life about this!”

Though Molly was keen to start the sport initially upon seeing the team training in 2018, she was unable to fully begin fighting until 2021. After a breakup, she reconnected with Daniel, and after they realised they had a lot of chemistry, they quickly began dating.

Molly’s fiery and energetic personality complemented Dan’s calm nature, and they joined forces to co-captain the Western Wolves. Daniel, who always wanted to be able to fully share his passion with someone special, convinced Molly to restart fighting.(Molly would like to jokingly add she didn’t have a choice in the matter.)

Frequently described by those who know them as a “power couple” (and grossly in love by just as many), Molly and Daniel have become decorated fighters in their own right, travelling frequently together to national and international events, always cornering and supporting each other, and rarely seen apart.

As well as keeping the club going, they have also just purchased their first home, where they can’t wait to settle in and set up their life together.

Some love stories are built over years of training together.

Some begin in the chaos of a World Championship.

Different countries, different beginnings — but the same kind of love: built on shared passion, mutual respect, and being a team in and out of armour.

Because in the end, it’s about finding someone who burns with the same fire as you — and never letting go.

Happy Buhurtines ⚔️❤️

~ Ola