Historic weaponry tournament set for Plymouth competition
 |
| Members of the Historical European Martial Arts School will compete in Plymouth May 5 through 7 at the Plymouth Arts and Recreation Complex. |
Competitors from Historical European Martial Arts School (HEMA) facilities in the U.S. and several nations will be displaying their skills and vying for coveted honors during the tournament, which will take place at PARC in downtown Plymouth.
Joe Mundo representing the HEMA in Garden City said the tournament is based in world history.
“Historical European Martial Art is a competitive martial sport where we recreate sword duels at full speed with blunt steel weapons. Imagine Olympic karate competitors armed with blunt steel weapons,” Mundo explained. “No wizards or foam swords here. We wear modern protective gear and our tournament will include: Longsword, One-handed Sword and Competitive Target Cutting,” he said.
Mundo said the HEMA competitors base their fighting styles on historical sources. As an example, he said, a fighter from one school may use techniques from a manuscript written by a 14th century master who lived in the Holy Roman Empire while another uses techniques from a medieval Italian master.
Some competitors will be offering classes, Mundo said, on the wide variety of historical sources and modern sports techniques.
The event, set for May 5 through 7, is free and open to the public. The PARC is located at 650 Church St. in downtown Plymouth.
