Andy Cross, The Denver PostDustin Gunnarson's Medieval armor helmet ready for the first Ironside Challenge at the Ironside Medieval Combat martial arts school Sept. 16, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostMedieval combat fighters Aveloc Firstborn, left, team Iron Rook, and Ryan Dang, team Ironside Wardens, battle during a sword and shield round in full steel armor weighing up to 100 pounds and using blunted swords during the Ironside Challenge at the Ironside Medieval Combat martial arts school Sept. 16, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostMedieval combat fighters Jory Maggard, center, huddles with Ironside Wardens teammates James Harshberger, left, and Ryan Dang before a melee match against team Iron Rook at the Ironside Challenge at the Ironside Medieval Combat martial arts school Sept. 16, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostMedieval combat fighters Gabe Rivera, left, fighting for the home team, team Ironside Wardens, battles Iron Rook team member Dustin Gunnarson during a sword and shield round in full steel armor weighing up to 100 pounds, using blunted steel swords during the first ever Ironside Challenge at the Ironside Medieval Combat martial arts school Sept. 16, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostVarious armor including a steel buckler shield, left, and arm and leg steel armor ready for the first ever Ironside Challenge at the Ironside Medieval Combat martial arts school Sept. 16, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostCustom polearm steel weapons at Ironside Medieval Combat martial arts school Sept. 16, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostForm-fitting steel hand armor ready for the first ever Ironside Challenge at the Ironside Medieval Combat martial arts school Sept. 16, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostVarious steel weapons ready for the first ever Ironside Challenge at the Ironside Medieval Combat martial arts school Sept. 16, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostVisiting Medieval combat fighter Aveloc Firstborn, team Iron Rook readies for battle adjusting his heavy steel armor for the first Ironside Challenge at the Ironside Medieval Combat martial arts school Sept. 16, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostA medieval combat round featuring the home team, the Ironside Wardens against the Iron Rook team during first ever Ironside Challenge at the Ironside Medieval Combat martial arts school Sept. 16, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostIronside Medieval Combat co-owner Janeal "Ironside" Tyler, left, educates the crowd abut her sport during the first ever Ironside Challenge at the Ironside Medieval Combat martial arts school Sept. 16, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostMedieval combat fighter Jory Maggard, team Ironside Wardens, center, and competitor Iako Kalili, team Iron Rook, during a melee battle for the first ever Ironside Challenge at the Ironside Medieval Combat martial arts school Sept. 16, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostMedieval combat fighters Team Iron Rook, foreground, begins the melee battle against the home team Ironside Wardens during the Ironside Challenge at the Ironside Medieval Combat martial arts school Sept. 16, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostIronside Medieval Combat co-owner Janeal "Ironside" Tyler, right, and medieval figure Jory Maggard, left, watch a round of fighting during the Ironside Challenge at the Ironside Medieval Combat martial arts school Sept. 16, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostMedieval combat fighter Gabe Rivera gets a drink after his first fight during the Ironside Challenge at the Ironside Medieval Combat martial arts school Sept. 16, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostMedieval combat fighter Iako Kalili, right, team Iron Rook, strikes Jory Maggard, team Ironside Wardens with a steel sword during a Sword and Buckler fight at the Ironside Challenge at the Ironside Medieval Combat martial arts school Sept. 16, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostMedieval combat fighter Dustin Gunnarson, team Iron Rook, sports a medieval armored helmet before battling for the Ironside Challenge at the Ironside Medieval Combat martial arts school Sept. 16, 2017.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
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Dustin Gunnarson's Medieval armor helmet ready for the first Ironside Challenge at the Ironside Medieval Combat martial arts school Sept. 16, 2017.
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By Andy Cross | across@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
The first ever Ironside Challenge at the was held September 16, 2017. The home team Ironside Wardens challenged the visiting Iron Rook team in various battles including sword and shield one-on-one fighting, longsword one-on-one fighting, sword and buckler fighting and melee team fighting. The fighting included the use of blunted-steel weapons and fully steel-armored fighters fighting in one-minute rounds and best two out of three to score points, individually and as a team.