Nova Scotia was well represented on the podium at the U.K Axe Throwing Championships.
Axe throwers from across the province travelled to Thirsk, England, to compete for the top spot.
Dartmouth’s Bradley Goodsell won the men’s international competition, with Pubnico’s Eugene Donaldson following right behind him in second place.
In the international women’s competition, Tusket’s Sandy Cranton came in second, and Jessica Goodland of Dartmouth came in third.
Both women are familiar with the podium, having won medals at the competition in previous years.
Cranton said she’d love to see more women involved in the sport.
“Some people hear axe throwing and they picture big burly bearded guys,” said Cranton.
Teams from Yarmouth County also reached the podium in the men and women’s divisions.
Wild Axe Lumberjack AXEperience owner Darren Hudson said that Nova Scotia has a strong lumberjack sport and axe throwing community, and often does well on the international stage.
“Canada has one of the highest numbers as far as representing nations go,” said Hudson. “It’s all about the love of axe throwing and these competitions that we host around the Maritimes, not only here in Barrington, but in New Germany and Caledonia and Darmouth and Moncton.”
Many of the competitors at the U.K championships will also be headed to Bollnas, Sweden for the 2026 World Double-Bit Axe Throwing Championships.
Hudson said that his expectations are high for some of the competitors going to Sweden.
“We’re looking good, we’re shaking things up around the globe,” said Hudson. “I think we’re going to see some top 10 finishes… I think we could see a world champion come out of Nova Scotia.”
Like many growing sports, axe throwing is driven by a tight knit and passionate community according to Hudson. He said that the camaraderie helps competitors push themselves to do better, and that having mental resilience can be just as important as being physically tough.
“Your head is your number one strongest muscle in your body when it comes to axe throwing,” said Hudson. “If your head is in the right spot, you may stand a chance.”
Thirty-five competitors from the Maritimes will be headed to Bollnas, Sweden to compete from July 31 to Aug. 2.
