On September 13, shopping and entertainment center “Riviera” became the stage for the fourth open round of the national championship in historical medieval battle (HMB). The discipline emerged in the 2000s and quickly reached an international level: by 2019, the Battle of the Nations had already brought together 42 countries.
The tournament offered the audience a dramatic showcase of medieval combat styles — lightning-fast sword exchanges, crushing halberd strikes, and relentless clinches with axes. By the end of the day, “Partizan” and “Alfin” clubs stood at the top of the podium.
For Evgeny Strzhalkovsky, head of both Partizan and the Bern club, the result was no accident. He believes that success in modern HMB comes down to smart tactical choices — especially in weapon selection:
“We see more and more winners turning to halberds, while others still rely on shields or falchions. But speed on the list and the ability to make instant decisions are what truly separate champions”.
His team, “Partizan”, had invested heavily in preparation ahead of the event, and their victory, he says, was the natural outcome of months of training and discipline.
The season will conclude in November with the Sword of Russia finals, an open event expected to attract not only Russia’s strongest fighters but also competitors from across Europe.
For Strzhalkovsky, the expansion of the championship beyond national borders marks an important step: “The arrival of international teams raises the level of competition and brings more attention to historical medieval battle as a serious sport.”
