The modern-day medieval sword fighters picking up gold

Mikal Suleiman used to enjoy kicking a ball around with friends, but he suffered more injuries playing football than he has in his current sport – the ancient martial art of sword fighting.

At the age of 16 he took up the sport, which enthusiasts call historical European martial arts, or HEMA, and is now part of a group in Malta winning medals for the sport around Europe.

The Martial Era Revivalists Combat Society (MERCS) compete in several events, including different types of sword fighting such as using sabres and the medieval weapon, the longsword.

Video: Matthew Mirabelli

In September, members took home gold, silver and bronze medals at a HEMA competition in Cork, Ireland.

The Maltese contingent sparred for their medals fighting ferocious competition from other countries including Ireland, France, Italy, America, Hungary and Poland.

MERCS members spar during a vigorous training session.'Inspiration to start this sport from the media'“One of the main inspirations to start this sport is the media, because of the way they portray certain fights in series such as Game of Thrones or The Lord of the Rings,” explained Suleiman, a biology student.

Now he and his fellow revivalists...