Zak’s sharp showing
Arlesey teenager Zak Holland claimed victory at the National UK swordsmanship tournament run by the British Federation for Historical Swordplay in Lincoln last month.
Holland, a member of the Aisle O’var Backswording Clubbe, fought against leading swordsmen from across the UK to win the BFHS Valour Cup for the Steel Backsword and was crowned the 2014 UK Champion.
After fighting through the preliminary rounds Zak, the youngest competitor on record for the Backsword tournament, earned his place in the Grand Final fighting against one of the UK’s leading and most seasoned Backsworders Nigel Potts from Lincoln
Both fighters flew from their positions with cuts, thrusts and counters at speeds which are rarely seen.
The fight was close at the start but in due course Zak managed to push his score higher as both competitors set the tournament ring alight with the quality of their swordplay.
Towards the end, Holland managed to increase his score and during a blazing late exchange, struck home to score the decisive winning point.
He was presented with the BFHS Valour Cup by Bob Brooks, President of the British Federation for Historical Swordplay.