Going back in time with one of the world’s oldest combat sports

Historical Combat took place in Calgary over the weekend as members of various Medieval Combat teams got into the list for their chance to join Team Canada.

The International Medieval Combat Federation (IMCF) is hosting its world championships down in Houston Texas this summer meaning members of Canada’s Medieval Combat community won’t have far to travel.

Over the weekend with the first day starting on Saturday, March 15, approximately a hundred Medieval Combatants from across Canada jumped into the fighting pit known as the LIST to test their skills for a spot on Team Canada.

Some traveled as far as north as the Yukon and Ontario to take part but, with this year’s Qualifiers taking place in Calgary, this allowed members from four different teams from Southern Alberta to compete.

This includes Longsword fighter Brian Bisson member of the Lethbridge Company of the Black Spears who tried to qualify for Team Canada back in 2017 explains the supportive atmosphere the tournament brings even after being hit by a 20Ibs steel weapon at full force.

Each fighter puts on roughly 90 – 150Ibs of full metal armor while using historically accurate steel weapons which Medieval Knights would have used.

Categories vary from weight classes to which weapons are used which can be a polearm (spear, axe, or halberd) to swords and shields.

Wade Ames, Secretary for Medieval Combat Canada and host for the team Canada Qualifiers which took play at Calgary’s Shrine Stables explains how the public tournament will be helping members take their armor to the tournament.

The World IMCF will be taking place this Summer in Houston Texas on August 6-10.