Press Release
WORLD’S TOP SWORDFIGHTERS CONVERGE AT SOCAL SWORDFIGHT 2025
Historical European Martial Arts Event Brings Global Talent, Education, and Economic Boost to Pomona, California

Pomona, California, United States, 1st Mar 2025 — SoCal Swordfight, the world’s largest Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) event, will transform the Sheraton Fairplex into a Renaissance-era arena from March 14–16, 2025, drawing over 1,100 participants from 32+ states and 13+ countries. This year’s event features world-ranked competitors, hands-on historical exhibits, and unparalleled educational opportunities for martial artists and spectators alike.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
Elite Competition (Competitors Ranked Globally in the Top 15 according to HEMA Ratings):
- Open Steel Longsword:
#2 Antoni Olbrychski (Poland), #3 Stephen Cheney (USA), #4 Miro Lahtela (Finland), #8 Benjamin Aygrigg (USA), #10 Yannick De Smet (Belgium), #14 Ville Välimäki (Finland) - URG Steel Longsword:
#2 Minna Vasarainen (Finland), #3 Rashelle DeBolt (USA), #5 Stevi Parker (USA), #11 Iris Garcia (USA), #12 Lindsey Mitchell (USA), #12 Veronica Young (USA) - Open Rapier & Dagger:
#1 Robert Childs (USA), #2 Arthur Henry (USA), #3 Kevin Murakoshi (USA) ), #5 Erick Copley (USA) - Open Steel Saber:
#2 Antoni Olbrychski (Poland), #9 Robert Childs (USA), #14 Samuel Ryals (USA) - URG Steel Saber:
#3 Minna Vasarainen (Finland), #4 Rashelle DeBolt (USA), #7 Brittany Reeves (USA
Educational Opportunities:
- Oakeshott Institute Lecture Series: Rare antique weapon handling with Dr. Nathan Clough. (more information)
- 130+ Hours of Classes: Led by 80+ global instructors across 5 dedicated classrooms.
- Build-a-Sword Workshop: Partner with Castille Armory to craft custom blades. (more information)
- Antique Showcase: Opportunity to view and potentially handle an assortment of antique medieval and renaissance weapons, armor and manuscripts and learn the histories from their current owners. (more information)
Community Impact:
- Economic Boost: Attendees to fill local hotels, restaurants, and retail.
- First Aid Certification: CPR/AED courses via Sentri Institute. (more information)
- Spectator Classes: Introductory HEMA sessions available for spectators.
Event Growth & Global Reach
Since its 2012 debut as a local tournament, SoCal Swordfight has surged 360% in attendance, becoming the pinnacle of HEMA worldwide. The 2025 event includes:
- 26 Tournaments: Across different weapons, divisions, and tiers.
- Antique Weapons Showcase: Artifacts up to 8,000 years old.
- Livestream Broadcast: Reaching 5,000+ viewers globally.
Quotes
“HEMA is more than just a sport; it’s a living connection to our shared martial heritage. SoCal Swordfight brings history to life, allowing participants and spectators to experience the depth and complexity of European martial arts traditions. From world-class competitions to hands-on workshops, we’re offering a unique blend of athleticism, scholarship, and cultural exploration.:
~ RJ McKeehan, Organizer, SoCal Swordfight.
“SoCal Swordfight has been the largest HEMA tournament in the world since 2023, and the attendance numbers for 2025 exceed even the event’s prior standards. The number of top ranked international competitors is set to make this year’s event the most competitive tournament in the world for most of its weapon disciplines.
~ Sean Franklin, HEMA Scorecard
“SoCal Swordfight has always been about building community and mutual support. We provide an inclusive environment through a diverse selection of instructors, workshops, and panels. This year, we’re excited to see significant growth in our Underrepresented-Genders (URG) tournaments, which have increased in both participation and level of competition. Additionally, our Under-18 (U18) tournaments are designed to inspire and promote the next generation of HEMA enthusiasts. It’s not just about the history and competition; it’s about making them accessible and engaging for everyone.”
~ Rachel Van Dyke, Organizer, SoCal Swordfight
“What sets SoCal Swordfight apart is its commitment to both competition and education. We’re not just showcasing elite athletes; we’re creating a space where enthusiasts and scholars of all levels can learn, engage, and be inspired. The event’s growth reflects the increasing global interest in HEMA, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of this cultural renaissance.
~ Myles Cupp, Organizer, SoCal Swordfight
“Huge diversity of weapons and disciplines on display.”
~ Michael Chidester, Editor and Chief, Wiktenauer
“I loved being able to look across the tournament area and see all of the different bouts taking place at once. It was incredibly lively, and it is this event that told me I should become a serious fencer.”
~ Charlotte Kelly, Academy of Arms
“The overall feeling of community support and interest.”
~ Frank Perrin, Bayt al-Asad: Middle Eastern Combat Arts
Media Opportunities
- Press Passes: Access to tournaments, workshops, and elite competitors.
- B-roll/Photos: High-action sparring, antique exhibits, and custom sword crafting.
- Interviews: Top-ranked fighters, instructors, and organizers.
Event Details
- Dates: March 14–16, 2025
- Location: Sheraton Fairplex, 601 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA
- Tickets: Spectator passes ($30/day or $50 for all 3 days) and full registrations ($195) at socalswordfight.com.
Sponsors & Partners
My True Ancestry | SoCal Swords | Arms & Armor | Castille Armory | Albion Swords | Valiant Armoury | Purpleheart Armoury | Wukusi Armory | Sigi Forge | Black Fencer | Manticore Forge | Grommet’s Leathercraft | Ox & Plow | SPES Historical Fencing Gear | CombatCon | Sprezzatura Sports and Wellness
Full list: socalswordfight.com
Company Detail
Organization: SoCal Swordfight
Contact Person: Chris Ponzillo
Website: https://www.socalswordfight.com
Email: Send Email
Contact Number: +17144973377
Address: 601 W McKinley Avenue
City: Pomona
State: California
Country: United States
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
Press Release
D’CENT Wallet and Doppler Finance Partner to Bring Institutional-Grade XRP Yield to Users

IoTrust, the company behind the D’CENT hardware and mobile cryptocurrency wallets, has formed a strategic partnership with Doppler Finance, an XRPL-based staking and rewards protocol. This collaboration enables D’CENT users to access institutional-grade staking infrastructure directly from within the wallet, paving the way for a seamless end-to-end digital asset experience from secure storage to investment and yield generation.
Built on a foundation of hardware-level security and an intuitive app experience, D’CENT has been evolving beyond a traditional “custody-only” wallet into an actionable platform that connects storage with analysis, decision-making, and returns. With features such as seasonal campaigns like Tap That Drop, portfolio visualization, on-chain insights, and trend analysis, D’CENT empowers users to read market movements and act in real time.
The integration with Doppler Finance marks a pivotal step in extending these investment actions into tangible earning opportunities. Soon, XRP holders will be able to participate in Doppler’s native staking and reward protocol without leaving the D’CENT wallet app transforming idle assets into active yield, and completing the investment journey from secure storage, to action, to yield.
In the near future, users will be able to view asset performance, execute staking strategies, and claim rewards all within a single, secure environment. This represents a new level of convenience and completeness in the user journey, one that traditional hardware wallets have not delivered before.
“D’CENT is developing into a digital asset hub that goes beyond storage, helping users design their investment and earning journey,” said Sangsu Baek, CEO of IoTrust. “Our collaboration with Doppler is an important step in strengthening that vision.”
A Doppler Finance spokesperson added, “Partnering with D’CENT, which has a strong base of XRP holders, will be a powerful catalyst for the growth of XRPfi. We will deliver a trusted yield experience backed by institutional-grade operations and transparency.”
Looking ahead, the two companies plan to expand their partnership to include user education, UX enhancements, and compliance readiness for evolving regulatory landscapes with joint market entry strategies targeting XRP-strong regions such as Japan and the United States. D’CENT remains committed to offering a wallet experience that connects asset storage with real investment opportunities and yield realization.
About D’CENT Wallet
Founded in 2018, D’CENT Wallet, developed by IoTrust, is the world’s first biometric hardware cryptocurrency wallet, combining hardware-grade security with an intuitive mobile app experience. Supporting a wide range of cryptocurrencies, D’CENT offers portfolio management, on-chain insights, and integrated investment tools, delivering a complete user journey from secure storage to yield generation.
About Doppler Finance
Doppler Finance is an XRPL-based native staking and yield protocol designed to connect XRP holders with institutional-grade earning infrastructure. By combining secure asset management, robust risk controls, and transparent operations, Doppler enables users to generate sustainable returns on their XRP holdings. As a driving force in the XRPfi ecosystem, Doppler is committed to expanding liquidity, enhancing on-chain activity, and delivering a trusted yield experience for the global XRP community.
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
Press Release
AI and Accounting Collaboration to Reshape Military Financial Oversight in Southeast Asia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – A groundbreaking regional initiative is preparing to pilot an AI-powered accounting system designed to modernize defense and military financial operations across Southeast Asia. The collaboration, led by strategists Karunesh Kannu Singhania, Emily Ng, and Abhishek Agrawal, aims to address long-standing inefficiencies in defense-related accounting while balancing transparency and security.
Tackling Oversight Gaps in Defense Spending
Defense institutions across the globe have faced persistent challenges in managing financial oversight. Issues such as cost overruns, duplicate invoicing, and fragmented procurement data remain common. While investments in logistics and equipment have advanced, financial systems often remain outdated — limiting agility and leaving oversight gaps.
The new platform introduces a modular, AI-native accounting framework built for high-security, high-complexity environments. Core capabilities include:
- Automated reconciliation across procurement workflows
- Anomaly detection to identify irregular spending patterns
- Predictive analytics for more agile budget planning
- Secure, role-based reporting for oversight without compromising confidentiality
Path Toward 2026 Pilot
The initiative is scheduled to enter controlled testing by the end of Q1 2026 with select institutional partners. This milestone will allow the system to be evaluated under real-world procurement and budgeting cycles.
Karunesh Kannu Singhania, system accounting strategist for the project, stated:
“Military budgets are not just about numbers — they are about trust, readiness, and the ability to respond quickly without waste. AI gives us a way to combine precision with adaptability in a way legacy systems never could.”
A Cross-Border First in Defense-Finance AI
This initiative represents one of the first large-scale efforts in Southeast Asia to apply artificial intelligence to defense-grade accounting. With collaboration spanning Singapore, Malaysia, and India, it unites private innovators, institutional stakeholders, and policy experts in a shared mission.
Karunesh Kannu Singhania further added:
“By early 2026, when our pilots begin, we expect to show not only efficiency gains but also a new model for accountability in sectors where financial clarity has historically been difficult to achieve.”
Observers note that the program could provide a blueprint for other regions seeking to reconcile fiscal discipline with operational readiness in high-security environments. Interest has already emerged from private contractors, compliance consultancies, and academic researchers studying financial automation in defense.
Looking Ahead
With controlled pilots scheduled for early 2026, the next phase will focus on refining security protocols, ensuring interoperability with existing defense IT infrastructure, and stress-testing the platform under simulated procurement cycles.
If successful, the initiative could mark a turning point for how militaries manage, monitor, and secure their finances in an increasingly complex global environment.
Media Contact
Company Name: Defcom SEA AI
Contact Person: Aditya Agarwal
Email: aditya.agarwalsg@outlook.com
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
Press Release
The Truth Behind Refugee Camps A Raw Unfiltered Story That Breaks the Myth of Humanitarian Fairytales
Refugee camps. The phrase often conjures up images of humanitarian documentaries with soft music, noble speeches, and the promise of resilience and hope. But reality? It’s far more complex, chaotic, and human.

Bucharest, Romania, 19th Aug 2025 – In his latest book, now available on Google Books, Adrian Dumitru takes readers inside the heart of life in a refugee camp—stripped of the clichés, stripped of the staged gratitude, and stripped of the halos.
The narrative begins when buses rolled in with people carrying nothing but plastic bags and broken nerves, and a “refugee camp” was born overnight. What followed wasn’t the neat humanitarian picture often painted for the world. Instead, it was hundreds of exhausted strangers—hungry, fearful, short-tempered—thrown together in conditions that tested patience, empathy, and the very essence of humanity.
Over three years, Dumitru witnessed the chaos and contradictions of camp life:
- Scarcity – Food never enough, space non-existent, privacy impossible.
- Fractures – Fights over blankets, tempers snapping, volunteers burning out.
- Harsh Truths – Gratitude was rare, complaints were endless, and survival trumped everything.
- Moments of Light – A child’s laughter after weeks of silence, a shared piece of bread, a hug that kept a volunteer going.
“Refugee camps aren’t about halos and heroism,” Dumitru writes. “They’re about survival with drama. They’re soap operas without glamour and with a lot more crying. They show us who we really are when everything else is stripped away.”
This book is not a charity poster—it’s a mirror. It reflects the raw, unfiltered, brutally honest truth of life in camps: sometimes inspiring, often messy, always real.
Readers looking for polished narratives of heroism won’t find them here. But those ready to face the complexity of humanity at its most fragile will discover a story that lingers long after the last page.
Availability
The book is available now on Google Books, Amazon and Apple Books.
Media Contact
Organization: Dezibel Media
Contact Person: Adrian Dumitru
Website: https://dezibelmedia.ro
Email: Send Email
City: Bucharest
Country:Romania
Release id:32613
The post The Truth Behind Refugee Camps A Raw Unfiltered Story That Breaks the Myth of Humanitarian Fairytales appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
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