Phillip Leitch is Australia’s only full-time professional knight and jouster
© ABC Gippsland: Amelia Bernasconi
By Amelie Bernasconi
Hurtling towards someone on horseback, armed with a 10-foot lance, at speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but that’s how eight of the world’s best knights spent their weekend.
About 8,000 people were transported to medieval times at the World Jousting Championships at Warragul in south-eastern Victoria to witness 15th-century-style jousting on a 21st century stage.
Phillip Leitch reclaimed his title, beating Russian Andrei Kamin in the grand final by one point
© ABC Gippsland: Amelia Bernasconi
“The idea is to break the lance on the shield of your opponent and whoever scores the most points by breaking the most lances will be the winner of the tournament,” event producer Andrew McKinnon explained.
“We have eight of the world’s best knights coming from as far away as the Netherlands, Russia, Canada, France and Norway,” Mr McKinnon said.
Defending world jousting champion Phillip Leitch of Kryal Castle, near Ballarat, fended off the fierce competition to again reign supreme…
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Source: ABC News
