Medieval combat

Medieval combat

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Vanquished knight Yasushi Ami from Japan, left, hugs his victor, Christoph Unterbuchschachner from Austria, after their duel at the World Medieval Combat championships.

The competition is based on 14th and 15th century fighting practices using sword, polearm and shield. Teams from 15 countries took part in the competition over the course of a weekend.

. BELMONTE, Spain. REUTERS/Susana Vera

Medieval combat is a full-contact sport that revives tournament fighting from Europe's Middle Ages. The fighters, both male and female, wear heavy armour and carry blunted weapons, mostly replicas of authentic pieces. There are individual and team events and prizes for the best armour and best camp.

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Slideshow

A suit of armour hangs from a tent.
. BELMONTE, Spain. REUTERS/Susana Vera

A suit of armour hangs from a tent.

A member of the French team stretches.
. BELMONTE, Spain. REUTERS/Susana Vera

A member of the French team stretches.

Members of the United States team practice their moves.
. BELMONTE, Spain. REUTERS/Susana Vera

Members of the United States team practice their moves.

A fighter from the Italian team is sheltered by a teammate's hat as he waits to participate in a long sword duel.
. BELMONTE, Spain. REUTERS/Susana Vera

A fighter from the Italian team is sheltered by a teammate's hat as he waits to participate in a long sword duel.

Fighters from Poland, in red, and France, in blue, fight against each other in a "5 vs 5" competition.
. BELMONTE, Spain. REUTERS/Susana Vera

Fighters from Poland, in red, and France, in blue, fight against each other in a "5 vs 5" competition.

Members of the French team rest after a match.
. BELMONTE, Spain. REUTERS/Susana Vera

Members of the French team rest after a match.

Female fighters from New Zealand and Luxembourg compete in a polearm duel.
. BELMONTE, Spain. REUTERS/Susana Vera

Female fighters from New Zealand and Luxembourg compete in a polearm duel.

Supporters of the German team celebrate a victory.
. BELMONTE, Spain. REUTERS/Susana Vera

Supporters of the German team celebrate a victory.

A fighter from the Spanish team gets help putting on his armour.
. BELMONTE, Spain. REUTERS/Susana Vera

A fighter from the Spanish team gets help putting on his armour.

A view of the field of combat as night falls.
. BELMONTE, Spain. REUTERS/Susana Vera

A view of the field of combat as night falls.