A Pandemic Can’t Stop These Axe-Throwing Competitors
Eau Claire resident among handful of women at world competition
Rebecca Mennecke, photos by Andrea Paulseth |
Want to talk about strong female leadership? You don’t have to look much further than Anna Obrecht, co-manager of Ironside Axe Club, who was one of two women to compete in the Standard Axe Competitors category of the World Axe Throwing Championship, which took place in Atlanta in December and was broadcast to ESPN.
The World Axe Throwing League includes more than 6,000 registered throwers in 20 countries. The World Axe Throwing League Championship is a three-day event that gathers axe throwers from all over the world to claim the title of World Axe Throwing Champion.
“The axe-throwing community is like nothing else we have ever been a part of,” said Obrecht and her fellow manager, Manny Kohl. “Everyone is so encouraging, motivating, and helpful.”
Obrecht and Kohl qualified for the championship through their local competitive league at Ironside Axe Club, 2930 London Road, Eau Claire,. Out of 128 overall axe throwers, Kohl and Obrecht competed in the Standard Axe Competitors, and Duals Axe Competitor categories, with Kohl also competing in the Big Axe Competitors category.
Kohl placed 17th in Standard, 7th out of 64 in Big Axe, and the pair placed 13th out of 60 in duals. Obrecht placed 49th out of 128 competitors in Standard.
Though more women turned out for the Duals Axe and Big Axe competitors categories, an overwhelming percentage of axe throwers are male. “The world championship is a cool tournament to be a part of,” the pair said. “Not only are you competing with the best throwers in the world, you are throwing with the nicest, most encouraging people in the world, too.”
Kohl and Obrecht have managed Ironside Axe Club since the location opened in Eau Claire last summer. They offer competitive leagues on Wednesday and Sunday nights. Check out more about Ironside Axe Club at ironsideaxeclub.com/business/ironside-axe-club-eau-claire.
