Havasu Armored Combat League: U.S. Nationals Competition

Qualifying rounds for the entry to the World League Competition in Denmark took place Saturday at Rotary Park, presented by The London Bridge Renaissance Faire. The 2017 inaugural Havasu Armored Combat League Nationals qualifiers wrapped up on Saturday, and the main competition will continue Sunday. The winning fighters from Saturday advance to Sunday’s competition, and will eventually represent the United States in the ultimate competition.

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Sunday’s competition will be fierce, and a large crowd is expected to gather in anticipation of the most intense armored combat to take place in modern time.

So, what is armored combat?

Not to be confused with mixed martial arts, boxing or wrestling, there is the world of medieval armored combat. The armored combat league (ACL) features an extremely unique demonstration of physical competition, complete with medieval armor and flair.

Full contact. Full force. Full speed. All real.

Watching the qualifying rounds truly takes you back in time. The full suits of armor are artistic and extravagant in themselves, and the fights are brutal, raw and downright entertaining. A renaissance faire is an opportunity to dress up and transcend into a different world.

Spectators cheered and crossed their fingers for their favorite fighters to advance into the next day’s competition, which starts at 10 a.m. and continues until 3 p.m.

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

The armored combat league’s official regulations list safety, honor, sportsmanship and fair competition as the hallmarks of the organization. On the sidelines of the ACL event itself, it’s hard not to imagine what it would feel like to be hidden under a suit of metal armor under Havasu’s hot sun.

Be sure to check in for the results of the Havasu final round and the ultimate country-wide competition. Sponsors of the London Bridge Renaissance Faire include Sofia’s Auto Body and Purple Griffin Entertainment.

To learn more about the London Bridge Renaissance Faire and Havasu Armored Combat League, visit: https://www.londonbridgerenfaire.com/havasu-armored-combat-league.html