WORLD

Women go medieval as Dark Age combat-fest turns politically correct

A fighter strikes his opponent with a long sword during the Medieval Combat World Championship in Belmonte, Spain, on May 2, an event that drew an estimated 10,000 spectators. Medieval combat is a full contact sport that includes duels and group battles using long swords, swords and shields, and polearms, and is based on the code of conduct of medieval knights. | REUTERS

Reuters

May 9, 2014

MADRID –

For the first time, two women are now free to whack each other with swords until one of them falls down in internationally sanctioned competition. This is progress.

The first such combat took place in Belmonte, a small town in Spain with a 15th-century castle, about 140 km east of Madrid. Sixteen countries in Europe, the U.S., Japan and New Zealand sent teams. Some 10,000 people showed up to watch.

"We made history for all the women in the world," long sword runner-up Aline Planchon of Belgium said after hugging her winning opponent, Suzanne Elleraas of the United States.

Women go medieval as Dark Age combat-fest turns politically correct

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