WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — The knives will come out this week in Wisconsin when hundreds of throwers compete at the World Axe and Knife Throwing Championships this week. Ten Iowans from Ironside Axe Club in West Des Moines qualified for the event.

“This is our first time actually competing in Worlds,” said Kody ‘Bear’ Boyle.

“I’m really excited. Nervous, but excited,” added Ashley Briggs.

The couple competes in knife duals and are about to face off with the best of the best in the sport.

“A lot of people think it’s just chucking it and it’s more about finesse,” explained Boyle.

“The amount of practice you put in definitely shows. I practice every day, and I just figured out my knife game a little more consistency wise,” said Shane Funke.

Funke has been honing his skills for the past six years. He is once again returning to the world stage to compete in team and individual events.

“Everybody who goes is super chill, it’s really lax. Nobody is like you don’t deserve to be here, you suck, go away,” said Funke.

He says anyone can try their hand at axe throwing. It’s something different and that’s one of the reasons the sport is growing.

“Some people throw really hard. Some people throw delicately and soft. It’s therapeutic for a lot of people,” explained Funke.

Before heading off to compete, the throwers are making sure to keep their blades and skills sharp.

“Once I get to the line, I’m like oh, it’s here and I let that noise drown everything out to where I can focus,” said Boyle.

“The nerves get to you, at least for me a little bit. It helps having him, he calms me, calms my nerves down,” said Briggs.

With thousands of throws under their belt, they know it will take nerves of steel to axe the competition.

The group from Ironside Axe Club leaves for Appleton, Wisconsin Wednesday. The competition runs from April 3rd to the 6th. More than $60,000 in prize money is on the line.

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