Malbork hosts Medieval Combat World Championships

Some 500 knights from 25 countries will be taking part in the event at the former fortress of the Teutonic Knights.

“This is proper, full contact fighting - a true sport,” commented Hubert Filipiak, president of the Polish Association of Combat Knights, co-organiser of the event.

“We hope that thanks to the championships, we can promote the sport further,” he added.

The combat will be divided into both one-on-one clashes and group engagements, and Knights receive points for accurate blows meted out to opponents.

Separate challenges will be held with sword and shield, longsword and halberd (a two-handed pole weapon complete with axe-blade and spike).

Although female contestants are in the minority, women fighters will also be competing against each other in the sword-hacking bonanza.

Knights have come from countries as varied as Argentina, Japan, Mexico, Ukraine and USA.

The first Medieval Combat World Championships were held in 2014 at Spain's Castillo de Belmonte.

This year's four-day event runs until 3 May. (nh)

Source: PAP