Bat'leth Tournament

Many years ago Mr. Worf was shown on TNG returning from a Bat'leth Tournament on Forkus III.
My ship - I.K.V. Melota - looked to our friends in Amptguard and the Society for Creative Anachronisms
and got creative.

Using our metal blades as patterns we crafted wooden Bat'leths and Mek'leths. These was then padded with
foam rubber (no point in getting hurt).

We then set up a series of rules (largely borrowed from a Karate tournament) ...and soon our first Bat'leth tournament
was underway.

Many years have passed and our fame has spread. A few weeks ago the I.K.V. Melota hosted its Fall Tournament.
Five groups from Texas and Louisiana sent representatives as well as the arrivals of many unaffiliated individuals.

I.K.V. Melota - Arlington, Texas
I.K.V. Qin Vagh - Fort Worth, Texas
I.K.V. Bayou Serpent - Monroe, Louisiana
U.S.S. Trinity River - Dallas, Texas
Sea Wolf - a ren/pirate group from North Texas

In addition to One-on-One duels with Mek'leth and Bat'leth, we had D'k-Tahg or daggar fights. For these we
purchase surplus training daggars from the military...(also available from law enforcement surplus and martial arts dojos). These are made of a hard rubber and hurt like all get out.

The judges can do well with the longer blades but the daggar combat is short and fast. To aid accurate judging we
dip the blades in paint so that contacts are readily seen.

The combat was glorious. If you ever get the opportunity to attend a tournament of this type, seize it. You will NOT
be disappointed.