County Durham man ready to fight for global title in axe throwing
Carl Howe - who runs Valhalla North Axe Throwing, in Newton Aycliffe - was named European Champion last month
A County Durham man is getting ready to cross the Atlantic and fight for the title of World Champion - in axe throwing.
Last month, Carl Howe - who runs Valhalla North Axe Throwing in Newton Aycliffe, along with wife Kathryn - took top place at the International Axe Throwing Federation (IATF) European Regional Tournament.
He beat 16 of Europe's top level throwers, reaching the world finals this June, in Toronto.
A team from Valhalla North travelled down to London for the Regional Finals in January, with Carl crowned European Champion.
He tells us the achievement is one of his proudest moments;
"To be crowned European Champion means everything!
"It's the culmination of three and a half years of literal blood, sweat and tears and the hardest work I've ever done in my entire life - to help build the sport of axe throwing in the UK, taking a leaf out of America's book - and Canada's book.
"They are the elite level - we're slowly bringing that elite level competition up in the UK."
READ MORE: Welcome to Valhalla... County Durham axe throwing centre encourages women to join the sport
It's not the first time Carl has made it over to Canada, making it to the finals last year as well, through a qualifying round.
He says he's better prepared this time though - and is feeling quietly confident;
"I got out there full of confidence - thinking 'yeah I know what I'm doing!' and I was very quickly proven wrong.
"The level of competition out in Canada and America - I've never played against the world's elite throwers before!
"I thought we were good from where we are - but this year I know exactly what I'm doing - I've kept an eye on what everyone else is doing."
Valhalla North run regular league nights, as well as open sessions for beginners and people looking to try out the sport.
You can find out more online or via the club's Facebook.