Diego Javier Luis, PhD
Historical Fencing
I am a lifelong martial artist who has spent years training Wing Chun, Muay Thai, Jeet Kune Do, Boxing, Collegiate Wrestling, Kali, Silat, and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. In 2023, I began a new challenge to enter the world of HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) and have since become a dedicated fencer.
My experience as a fencer committed to reviving historical styles from the seventeenth century has energized my work as a historian. Studying the people of the past means taking their ideas seriously, even those that require us to leave the writing desk behind. Archives are not just words; they are movement.
See more of my journey here.
From a talk entitled, "The Social Politics of Fencing: The Destreza Indiana Controversy" at the John Carter Brown Library, June 2025. Photo: José Montelongo
Competition is one of the best ways we have to test our skill as fencers. I compete in rapier, rapier & dagger, and smallsword events. You can follow my progress on HEMA Ratings.