Scoop B: “Sleeping Samauri” Ki Bethune Is Making It Happen

RESPECT: How would you describe your fighting style?

Ki Bethune: I would describe my fighting style as calculating and thoughtful. I use my ability to read people to control the pace of when and how we fight by controlling the distance.I came up with a combat style revolving around a maneuver we call sniping. Since the rules of sleeping samurai are much different from conventional forms of sword fighting, it is an attack exclusive to this form of combat

RESPECT: What do you think makes Sleeping Samurai different from other sword fighting groups?

Ki Bethune: The one thing that I can say Sleeping Samurai has above all of them  is control. A majority of the other groups are all about swinging as hard as you possibly can or going as fast as you can with no real control, and in that regard Sleeping Samurai is in a league of its own.

RESPECT: Who do you look up to in your field?

Ki Bethune: Sleeping Samurai isn’t the only sword foam boffer fighting that I choose to do. There are many other forms, albeit less safe or have different rules, but there are others. However, in my time sword fighting the one I’ve always looked up too from a pure sword fighting stand point is my best friend and training partner, Philip Nau. He is by far and wide one of the best, if not the best active sword fighter currently on the East Coast and in terms of sleeping Samurai. And if he wasn’t both my goal and my rival, I would’ve never become as skilled as I am now.

RESPECT: What do you think about or focus on during fighting?

Ki Bethune: When I’m fighting I focus on my opponent’s movements. Most importantly, their footwork. By watching the way someone moves with their feet you can pretty much determine exactly what they’re thinking once you become more experienced in Sleeping Samurai. I usually training at least 2 or 3 times a week for at least an hour. I usually use each training session to focus on something specific so I have a clear direction of what I’m training. Whether it be my footwork, striking speed, accuracy etc.

RESPECT: How do you prepare before a fight?

Ki Bethune: When preparing for a fight I always take time to stretch. Truth be told, I don’t see a whole lot of fighters do this and they run out of steam very quickly in several days. Considering I am not a sword fighter that likes to hold back, I go full throttle as soon as the first round; So I always take time to stretch my back, shoulders and legs thoroughly before each round so I can stay as limber as possible. Additionally, I always keep a steady amount of water on hand so I can stay hydrated throughout the day. It’s impossible to perform at your absolute best if you’re not keeping your fluids up.

RESPECT: What would you attribute your discipline to?  

Ki Bethune: The activities that I would have to attribute a lot of my mental success to would be being in the marching band and choir, which I participated in during high school. In band I was able to learn how to use the cymbal, the bass drum and the snare drum- and of course I sang in the choir. Since my family is in the entertainment and music industry, it came natural. I also played basketball and chess which helped me with concentration and with being competitive. Being a “techie” has also helped me with strategy, computing and resilience. This gave me a foundation of discipline and the ability to commit myself to a task when necessary. Especially in today’s society, where people seem to have no lack of procrastination or worries about their self-image, I can confidently say that this does not apply to me when it comes to what I am passionate about and what I want to do, especially my sword fighting.

RESPECT: How could someone find you on social media?

Ki Bethune: Check out my Instagram and Facebook fan page at @KiBethune