For the first time, two women are now free to whack each other with swords until one of them falls down in internationally sanctioned competition. This is progress.
The first such combat took place in Belmonte, a small town in Spain with a 15th-century castle, about 140 km east of Madrid. Sixteen countries in Europe, the U.S., Japan and New Zealand sent teams. Some 10,000 people showed up to watch.
"We made history for all the women in the world," long sword runner-up Aline Planchon of Belgium said after hugging her winning opponent, Suzanne Elleraas of the United States.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.