With Swords, Axes & Shields, Fighters go head-to-head-Medieval Style

Spottrup: With swords, axes and shields, competitors from 30 countries are going head-to-head in the grounds of a Danish fortress in a modern version of old-fashioned battle.

The International Medieval Combat Federation's annual world championship roared into gear in northern Denmark this week. First staged in Spain in 2014, it features armor-clad competitors fighting with 14th-century medieval weapons.

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But it's also a modern combat sport with safety rules and sporting conventions.

Mix of modernism and history

"It's historically inspired," combat federation spokesperson Kamila Studencka said. "It's a mix of modern techniques with historical ones. We have something between full combat sports and fencing."

And while the swords and axes are blunted, the battles are anything but harmless reenactments. Studencka said some competitors are attracted by "the violence," while others prefer the technical aspects of face-to-face duels.

"Some people like the friendship and being a team member ... to be a part of something bigger," she added. This year's championship is being held in the shadow of Spottrup Castle, a formidable Danish fortress that was completed around 1520. The event has drawn fighters from 30 countries, including the United States, Canada, China, and Brazil.

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Brazilian competitor Rodrigo Sinckevicius, who traveled with a team of eight from Sao Paulo, said he previously competed in jiu-jitsu and other mixed martial arts, but when he first saw this kind of medieval combat, he 'couldn't believe it.' "People falling and grabbing and the sound of the steel cracking, it's like something that you cannot fake," added the 33-year-old, who works in sales .

The four-day championships, see competitors battle in one-on-one "duels" made up of two one-minute rounds each. Opponents are eliminated after hitting the ground three times or when they submit. If neither happens, marshals declare a winner based on points scored. There are also chaotic mass-team events, known as "Buhurt," in which up to 10 competitors on either side participate.