Between the Champions League final, the SIG matches and Roland Garros, this Ascension weekend is packed with sports news. But the event not to be missed takes place in the village of Dieffenbach-au-Val, in the heart of the Val de Villé. The small Bas-Rhin village (600 inhabitants) welcomes the French championship of knife and ax throwing Saturday and Sunday (May 28-29).
– Jules Hauss
Participants from all over France and Europe
Several dozen participants joined the town for a competition in a green setting. They came from all over France, like Stéphane, a throwing fanatic since confinement. “I started by throwing screwdrivers at a polystyrene board. I inquired to find out if clubs existed and since then I started”.
Swiss, Dutch and Germans also made the trip. The principle of sport is similar to darts or archery : three axes or three knives that must be planted in the target.
All participants rent a sport that de-stresses and lets off steam. “I do a manual job so I needed a sport that requires concentration. It allows me to get rid of the small and big problems of life”, says Adrien, who came from Lyon for his first competition.
It’s like yoga, we’re in our bubble
The club “La Pointe y est” of Dieffenbach-au-Val is the second in the region with Alca in Colmar. They are installed in place of the football club in 2015 and now has around thirty members, with more and more joining every year.
– Jules Hauss
Its president, Pascal Bebon has fifteen crown of champions of France on his record and a title of world champion. “When I tell people I practice knife throwing, he takes a step back. But I’ve demonstrated to people who do yoga and they’re like ‘honestly, it’s like yoga, you is in its bubble”.
Saturday, May 28, a world record was even set, long distance ax throwing. Olivier Féret, who sells his own knives, is the author. “I was in a moment of grace. I backed up, backed up, people were telling me that the cars had to be moved from the parking lot, I didn’t believe them, but in fact it had to be done” he laughs.
All practitioners want to emphasize that sport is not not at all reserved for gun enthusiasts and that it is not dangerous. After dozens of training sessions and championships, Pascal Bebon has never seen any injury.