Bladesport offers razor-sharp skills and thrilling action
It was the first-ever time Boksburg hosted such an event, with the first-ever bladesport event hosted in Welkom in 2018.
Bladesport South Africa hosted a sharp but friendly competition in Jetpark on Saturday, February 1.
Using razor-sharp knives, competitors completed a course which included cutting through thick wood (the toughest section of the sport), water bottles and even tennis balls to determine the victor.
Competitors scored 10 points for each successfully cut item which eventually makes up your total course score. Competitors are also timed in seconds.
To determine the winner, the total time (in seconds) a competitor takes to complete the course is deducted from your total course score, depending on how well you cut the different items in the course.
That being said, the higher your course points are and the faster you complete the track, the better your total score.
Bladesport SA uses international bladesport rules and the event in Jetpark was no exception. One of the stand-out rules of the sport is that contestants use one hand to compete with the other behind your back to prevent fatal injuries.
You also have to be 18 years and older to compete, if younger, a contestant needs their parents’ consent to compete.
Daniel Jansen emerged as the victor with 200 points gained from completing the course in 75 seconds. His final score was 125 (200-75).
Rocco Kotze, Greg Hogan and Bladesport South Africa committee member Ettiene van Rensburg completed the top four, respectively.
The sport is open to anyone, including ladies. The event returns to Boksburg on April 4.
For more information, including on what types of knives are used in the sport, contact Bladesport SA chairperson Andre du Toit or Van Rensburg on 060 505 7650 and 082 738 5089 respectively.
