I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Star Girl just after they threw against Queen HBO (having just played a match about 5 seconds beforehand against Rander). I hadn't met Star Girl before, so the chance to talk to someone absolutely new to me was wonderful. Here's how this Tiny Axe Thrower Interview went:
Actually, before we get to it, a note: I've started running my recordings at .5 speed (so I can type everything as I go without pausing as much), and while it makes Star Girl sound a little funny, it makes me sound like a drunk with a bunch of marbles in my mouth. ANYWAY:
WHERE DO YOU THROW, AND FOR HOW LONG?
I throw out of BATL Houston, and I think I've thrown for about three years.
THAT'S QUITE A DISTANCE FROM HERE (NJ), WHEN DID YOU GET HERE?
I got here Thursday in the afternoon. I did time trials on Friday, and that's it so far, except for the main tourney of course.
AND YOU MADE IT TO THE SECOND DAY OF THE TOURNEY. UNFORTUNATELY YOU'RE NOW OUT, BUT HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR PEFORMANCE?
I feel great! Making it to day two feels awesome. I threw well, so I'm not upset. I was a little nervous in my last game, but it happens.
I WILL SAY, AS AN OBSERVER, YOUR THROWING TODAY WAS AMAZING. i TRY TO NOTICE HOW EACH PERSON THROWS, AND TRY TO PICK UP THE LITTLE QUIRKS THAT THEY HAVE. FOR HATCHET AND BIG AXE, YOU SPIN THE HANDLE A FEW TIMES IN YOUR HANDS, AND INTO POSITION. ARE YOU AWARE YOU DO THAT?
Yeah, that's my pacifier. It makes me - when I'm really nervous you'll notice that I'm spinning my axes a lot. I used to play basketball so when you have your free-throw shot you do the same thing to get into rhythm. Normally I spin it twice.
WHAT OTHER BIG TOURNAMENTS HAVE YOU BEEN TO?
I've been to the Countess Cup and I do Space City every year. My last one was in LA - I went to the Grand Slam and won the Under tournament there, but that was my last one.
IF YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH ME ASKING THIS QUESTION: MINORITIES, AND MAYBE ESPECIALLY BLACK PEOPLE, ARE UNDER-REPRESENTED IN THIS SPORT. WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS THERE, IN YOUR OPINION?
Well, one of them is that this sport comes off as a very manly sport in the way it's represented. There are more men than women. From my perspective as a Black woman, I go to black people and I say "I throw axes" and they're like "what?" - it's not something you see everyday. I think a lot of black people think of it as a white guy's sport.
DO YOU THINK THERE'S ANYTHING THE IATF COULD BE DOING TO ENCOURAGE MORE DIVERSITY IN THE SPORT?
More diversity? Maybe more advertising to select groups. Where I throw in Houston, we're pretty diverse, but maybe some open houses just so people can see how diverse the sport actually is, instead of the outside appearance of it.
TO ME, AS A LITTLE JEWISH BOY, AXE THROWING WAS SURPRISINGLY WELCOMING. FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE AS A BLACK WOMAN, HOW HAVE YOU FELT COMING INTO THE SPORT?
I feel like it's extremely welcoming. Some of my closest friends have come from axe throwing. People come and cheer me on all the time, so I've had little to no feeling of not being welcome.
YOU'RE A REALLY OUTSTANDING THROWER, SO IT'S HEARTENING TO HEAR THAT YOU'VE FELT WELCOME IN AXE THROWING. SPEAKING OF - i NOTICE YOU HAVE SOME RATHER LONG, PERFECT NAILS.
Thank you, I do them myself!
THAT BRINGS ME TO MY NEXT QUESTION: DO YOU NOW ALWAYS HAVE TO HAVE NAILS LIKE THIS TO THROW?
YES! Yes.
I THOUGHT SO. YOU'D HAVE TO ADJUST FOR THAT, RIGHT?
It's more a psychological than anything. They give me power. I don't need them to throw, but they make me feel better.
IS THERE ANYONE YOU WANNA SHOUT OUT?
I want to shout out BATL Houston, my GM Nick Roth, and fuck tank top magic.
Thanks to Star Girl for taking the time and for her insights!
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