The Ironclad Axe Throwing is Kinston’s premier axe throwing company. Despite having opened in July, members of their world axe throwing league have qualified for the 2020 World Axe Throwing Championship (WATL).

“We’ve had five people from here that have qualified in three different events. Hatchet is the main one, 128 qualified from around the world, and four people from here qualified,” said Ironclad’s General Manager Michael Theorou. The other two events are Duals and Big Axe.

The 2020 World Axe Throwing Championship is in Atlanta from December 4th-6th. Said to be the largest axe throwing organization in the world with over 6000 axe throwers, 325 affiliated companies, 310 locations in 28 countries, the competition will be seen on ESPN.

“North Carolina is one of the more up and coming in Axe throwing, the reigning champion is from Charlotte,” said Theorou.

First place for the hatchet event is $25,000 and a giant trophy that the winner can bring to their facility. Travis Blank and Scott Phillips both qualified as well. They live in New Bern but are members of the axe throwing league in Kinston.

Axe throwing does not have the barriers of other spots. Accommodations are made for disabilities, and ages can start at ten years old.

“We’ve traveled, a lot during covid, I’ve tried to go live in different locations,” said Colby Dean, the assistant manager. “To show what axe throwing really looks like.”

Ironclad wants the community to know how diverse and inclusive axe throwing can be. Theorou and Dean are renowned in the axe throwing world and want the sport to grow.

“We try to make it enjoyable for everyone,” said Dean. “You will get better.”

In just a few months, Kinston’s Ironclad Axe throwing company has solidified itself in the WATL community. With world-class talent leading the league that has qualified local members for the national event, the sport can only grow in Kinston.