Armoured fighters storm Denmark’s Spøttrup Castle for IMCF world championship

No Comment Video. Armoured fighters storm Denmark’s Spøttrup Castle for IMCF world championship Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 24/07/2026 - 14:46 GMT+2 Nearly 600 armoured fighters from 30 countries have gathered at Denmark's Spøttrup Castle for the International Medieval Combat Federation (IMCF) World Championship, turning one of Scandinavia's best-preserved medieval fortresses into an arena for full-contact historical combat. Wearing historically inspired steel armour, competitors face off with blunted swords, axes, polearms and shields in demanding full-contact bouts that combine martial skill, stamina and historical authenticity. Alongside one-on-one disciplines such as longsword, sword-and-shield and sword-and-buckler, the championship also features Buhurt, large-scale team battles in which squads of up to 16 fighters clash in full-contact melees under modern safety regulations, including mandatory medical checks and strict equipment standards. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Hosted at Spøttrup Castle in northern Jutland, a fortress dating back to at least 1520, the four-day event brings together competitors from Europe, North America, Asia and South America. Beyond the competition, the championship doubles as a living-history festival, with around 200 medieval reenactors, traditional food stalls, music and entertainment filling the castle grounds. Launched in Spain in 2014, the IMCF World Championship reflects the growing international popularity of historical armoured combat. Competitors combine months of physical preparation with the study of surviving medieval fighting manuals, recreating historical techniques through modern sporting competition. British fighter Martin Gill said training draws directly on medieval combat treatises, while American competitor Alex King highlighted the rapid expansion of clubs across the United States in recent years. The sport is also attracting an increasing number of women. Finnish competitor Miisa Kaivos described the steady growth of female participation as one of the discipline's most encouraging developments, as historical combat continues to evolve into an international sport that blends martial arts, historical research and competitive teamwork. sport competition unusual Denmark medieval History Top stories Now playing Next Armoured fighters storm Denmark’s Spøttrup Castle for IMCF world championship Now playing Next Wildfire emergency near Madrid forces over 10,000 to flee as Spain sounds alarm Now playing Next Ukrainian drone strike ignites major blaze at Saint Petersburg warehouses Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | July 24th, 2026 – Midday Now playing Next Uzbek economy grows 8.5% in first half of 2026 Now playing Next France: Massive blaze engulfs Cap Ferret forests as thousands evacuated Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | July 24th, 2026 – Morning Now playing Next Opera icons or birds? ECB invites Europeans to pick new euro banknotes Now playing Next Trump says he is 'close to deciding' on a 'massive attack' on Iran Now playing Next EU agrees new sanctions on Russia as Greece secures LNG exemption Now playing Next Lavrov tells Rubio 'unacceptable' for US to sell arms to Kyiv Now playing Next Trump imposes new tariffs as EU agrees fresh sanctions on Russia Now playing Next Podcast | Brussels eyes political reshuffles in London and Budapest Now playing Next From housing to healthcare: What are Europeans worried about in 2026? Now playing Next Odysseys, Bones and Hens: What are the best movies of 2026... So far? Now playing Next Ireland finds 'no evidence' to conclude alumina sales prop up Russia's war ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Thousands evacuated as wildfire spreads in southwestern France No Comment Giant hot dog sculpture returns to New York Times Square No Comment Giant swing offers breathtaking ride above the Swiss Alps No Comment Divers restore Italy's Christ of the Abyss monument Europe News Southern Europe still battling wildfires as Spain declares national emergency in Madrid region Europe Today 'Expect more action from the US after the Google fine,' top EU lawmaker says Europe Today EU’s €1bn-a-day trade gap with China an 'unsustainable reality', says EU Parliament VP Europe Today Europe Today: Trump imposes new tariffs as EU agrees fresh sanctions on Russia Health news Why the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history is becoming more challenging Iran Trump threatens to use frozen Iranian assets to pay for shipping damage Business US imposes new tariffs on dozens of countries over 'forced labour' claims Business Opera icons or birds? ECB invites Europeans to pick new euro banknotes ADVERTISEMENT Europe News EU temporarily extends controversial chat-scanning regime until 2028 India Modi adresses India's youth's 'Cockroach' movement as protesters hold capital sit-in Economy Venezuela earthquake damages add up to almost $20 billion, World Bank says Culture Series How Baku’s Old City is preserving history while embracing the future Economy ECB holds rates at 2.25% as the reignited Iran war keeps a second hike in play The Cube Fact check: No evidence links Norway fire to alleged Israeli settlement import ban Europe News Lavrov tells Rubio 'unacceptable' for US to continue arms sales to Kyiv Cinema 'Armour of God: Ultimatum': Jackie Chan starts shooting in Kazakhstan ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT