Battle of the nations

Battle of the nations

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Swords clashed and armour clanged as Croatia played host to “Battle of the Nations,” an annual sporting event which sees participants dress up in medieval-style gear and fight.

Bouts are not mere reenactments, but full-contact affairs in which winners and losers are determined in various categories by the number of blows they deliver, or whether they can make their opponents fall to the floor.

. Trogir, Croatia. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic

Some 25 national teams took part in the four-day event, which was hosted in the coastal town of Trogir.

Specially adapted weapons, with their edges rounded to make them safer, are used during the fights.

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Slideshow

A participant at the event cleans his gear.
. Trogir, Croatia. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic

A participant at the event cleans his gear.

A woman talks to an armoured man before he goes into combat.
. Trogir, Croatia. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic

A woman talks to an armoured man before he goes into combat.

A man blows a horn as he sits in an encampment at the event.
. Trogir, Croatia. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic

A man blows a horn as he sits in an encampment at the event.

A man dressed as a knight poses for a picture.
. Trogir, Croatia. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic

A man dressed as a knight poses for a picture.

Another participant poses in chain mail and a helmet.
. Trogir, Croatia. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic

Another participant poses in chain mail and a helmet.

Two armoured men fight it out.
. Trogir, Croatia. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic

Two armoured men fight it out.

A woman puffs on a pipe during the tournament.
. Trogir, Croatia. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic

A woman puffs on a pipe during the tournament.

A man stands over his opponent.
. Trogir, Croatia. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic

A man stands over his opponent.

A man dressed as a knight celebrates his victory.
. Trogir, Croatia. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic

A man dressed as a knight celebrates his victory.