Wonder Woman of the Week: Samantha Swords

I’ve been in Canada for less than 24 hours, so I almost forgot I had something to do today. This week’s spotlight however is someone to remember. She’s a sword fighter who won an international competition in her class of fighting. She may not be a fencer, but it doesn’t take one to understand how badass she- nor does it take an idiot to understand she could pretty easily hold her own in any sword sport. Samantha Catto-Mott, aka Samantha Swords, is the Wonder Woman of the week.

Samantha Catto-Mott grew up reading and story telling. As a teenager, she fell in love with The Lord of the Rings and when the films released, it was the special features she enjoyed the most. She was inspired by the Weta Workshop- the shop that created the props for the films- and Vigo Mortensen’s dedication to his role as Aragorn. She wanted to live by the same kind of dedication to sword fighting, but did not grow up learning it. She trained in Olympic fencing for four years, but was more interested in historical fighting. When she moved to New Zealand and got a job at the Weta Workshop, she learned about “Western Martial Arts.” [1]

After two years at the Weta Workshop, Samantha had the opportunity to work on The Hobbit. In 2013, she competed in her first tournament- the Harcourt Park International Jousting Tournament- in the longsword competition. She took first place. Samantha said she had been in smaller competitions, she learned winning meant not necessarily following all the rules, so at Harcourt Park she simply wanted to hold her own against the men. She held back, making her opponents come to her, then used their force against them. [2]

Samantha Swords didn’t only receive her name through her skill using a sword. She also designs and makes them. Most of the swords she makes for tournaments are ones she custom-made herself. She makes them herself with the intent for competition- strong but not lethal. [3]

Samantha Swords is the kind of woman to not get angry. She can take out a world of men with just a sword, not just holding her own in a competition but winning it. She designes her own swords, is a dedicated actress and storyteller, and is an inspiration for girls everywhere showing women can really be anything they want to be- especially accomplished sword fighters.

Cooke, Lacy. “Samantha Swords is as Dangerous as She Sounds.” 12 Feb 2015. Thrive Wire.com. Accessed 17 June 2015. https://thrivewire.com/stories/meet-samantha-swords-the-first-woman-to-win-a-historical-longsword-competition

“Samantha Swords on Sword Fighting, Art, Filmmaking and More!” 30 December 2014. SweetyHigh.com. Accessed 17 June 2015. https://www.sweetyhigh.com/blog/girl-power/samantha-swords

Ratcliffe, Amy. “This Armored Lady Won the Longsword Competition at a World Invitational Tournament.” 26 Aug 2013. FashionablyGeek.com. Accessed 17 June 2015. http://fashionablygeek.com/videos-2/this-armored-lady-won-the-longsword-competition-at-a-world-invitational-tournament/