Victor Charlu joins us for an interview on Saber Talk today — a rising force in the LED saber world and currently ranked 13th in the Saber Tour global standings. Based at Force Academy Briarde in France, Victor is known for his highly agile fighting style and incredible speed. With the Open de France in just over a month, I caught up with Victor for a brief conversation about all things Sabers.

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Victor, welcome to Saber Talk, let’s start at the beginning, how did you first get involved with LED Saber as a sport?

To start, i’ve been doing LED saber since I have 12, actually i’m 20, and since I’m very young I always like sword, their esthetic, and I search a sport that use sword, I tried Fencing…to many rules to be honest, HEMA i was to young, and kendo, as a child, I didn’t enjoy the martial aspect of this sport. And I found in an association forum a guy on a LED saber stand. I saw it and I was like “OMG this is what I want to do” and for now I will never leave, 8 years from now when I fight with a glowstick. And I love it !

You typically fight with a white saber, did anything in particular draw you to that colour?

There is no real reason, like not philosophical one at least, is juste that I’m not a big fan of star wars, so Jedii, Sith not very my thinks so I choose the most neutral color, and I like the white aspect of it, because even if the LED don’t work you are not seeing the différence of color, the brightness of course you will but not the color XD

You’re based at Force Academy Briarde in France — what’s the club like? Do you train under the same system we see in Saber Tour events, or is it a different style? 

This is more as a second family than a club, they saw me grow and I am very grateful for everythings they gave me. For the rules we do our rules that are different but similar as the Saber Tour.

You’re the 13th best fighter in the world, and a highly respected combatant, how would you sum up your style in the arena?

If I have to sum up, I will say, have fun, try to push the cardio and make the public enjoy it !

You also referee fights as a Mirror, what first drew you into the world of refereeing?

For me, if you want to increase your level you have to know more how the refereeing is done, and being a Mirror, and the goal is to be good enough to be Principal, help me to see other way to fight and that help me in my own way to fight.

We have the 8th edition of the Open de France just around the corner, how do you typically prepare for an event like this? Is it just an extension of normal training or do you increase the amount you practice in the run-up to the event?

For a event like this the goal is to see other things, so keep working as usual but try to go see other club to fight and see what work now and if I follow the general level, but in every tournament I always doing my best by respect for my opponent, so I will say just an extension with more strategic practice.

Is there a fighter you really admire, either for their approach to combat or their overall style in combat?

There is a lot of fighter that I really admire for different reason:

Amaury MOUHTAJJIB: for his way of fight, his personality and his determination

Sébastien BÉRARD : for his level and his longevity on the top of the classment

Alexis AMEGAH : because in just one years is on the top and I found that very amazing

Mickael KHALIL : because we have the same way to enjoy a fight and everytime we are against i found the fight amazing, to see and to live

A lot of fighters will listen to music while warming up or practicing, is this something you’ve ever given a try? If so, did you find it helped you to focus or improve your performance at all?

Listen to music is a thing that is quiet a part of me, everytime I’m not with someone I have headphone, so yeah, i listen to music to warm up and it help me to focus on the feeling, reduce the stress before a fight and help to be on a “fighting mood”, but to be honest I’m not sure it help me to improve my performance on a pure skill way but more on a mental way.

What would you say is one misconception that most people have about LED saber as a sport?

I think the biggest misconception that people have about LED saber is that everybody are nerd that do that only for the fact to have lightsaber, but, in fact you have some, but everybody that just like sword fighting can enjoy, and I am a good example because I just watch 2 star wars movie and I’m not a big fan of it, sorry not sorry ^^, but one thing is sure is that isn’t some things important for the people practising LED saber.

What’s the most rewarding part of competing in the international tournament system for you?

I will say see friends from over the sea or other cities, because, of course we are against each other to be number one, but always with respect, and it is really rewarding because there are no more enemies but friends.

Do you have a favourite match from any tournament you’ve attended? If so, who was it against—and why does it stand out to you?

For now I don’t really have one that comes to mind, but maybe I will say the one against Mickael KHALIL during the UK open 2024, because it is the one that I enjoyed the most to make.

Finally, if you could step into the arena for a full three-round match under official Saber Tour rules against any opponent—historical or fictional—who would you choose to duel, and why?

For now I have no idea, but maybe Miyamoto Musashi, because is known as the best swordsman of history and like that I will learn a lot of things, and I will see the difference of level and sword mastering. 

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A big thank you to Victor for taking the time to speak with me — I wish him the very best for the season ahead. With his sharp technical skills, rapid fighting style, and ever-rising rank, he’s certainly a name to watch in the months to come. Be sure to keep your eyes on him as the year progresses — there’s every chance we’ll be seeing him break into the top 10 before long.