Swords will once again clash in Okotoks.
The Canadian Classic 2024 will be hosted at the Okotoks Agricultural Society grounds on Saturday, March 9, which will see combatants suit up in heavy armour to duel with authentic medieval weaponry.
The event is hosted by the Historical Armored Combat Sports Association (HACSA) and follows a previous event held in January of last year.
"This is a full contact armoured medieval tournament," said Ian Tivendale, president of the HACSA. "We've got different fight categories where fighters fight one-on-one with various sets of weapons, something like a long sword, which is an approximately metre-long blade on a two-handed sword, down to something like a sort of sabre, which is just one-handed curved sword.
"These categories typically emphasize swordsmanship and skill with the weapon over brute force and strength or tactics."
Other categories that will be featured at the event include MMA-style fights and five-versus-five group combat.
According to Tivendale, there will be much more swordplay this year.
"Last year I think we had maybe four pro fights," he said. "This year we're going to have probably five pro fights per weight category, so we'll have 20, 25 fights, so plenty more pro fights, which I know is something people typically enjoy."
Tivendale is also captain of the Calgary Silver Gryphons, which will clash against fellow HACSA teams such as the Okotoks Arverni Legion.
Tickets to the Canadian Classic are available on the HACSA website or at the door.
