Steel Ring Academy proves its point at Braden River Library

As Amanda Closser, the business manager of Steel Ring Academy, lunged toward Jason Callis, the owner and founder of Steel Ring Academy, with a viking sword and shield, girls from the audience yelled, "Girl Power."

With that support, Closser yelled loudly as she went in again in an attempt to strike Callis with her sword. 

Eventually, Closser and Callis took off their protective head gear and answered questions from the children who attended Steel Ring Academy's live sword fighting demonstration July 11 at the Braden River Library. 

Six-year-old Peyton Swartz said she loved seeing the competition unfold as Closser, Callis, along with Chris Fontana, a junior instructor, and Galloway Gonczy, a teen student, demonstrated competitions using various weaponry. 

The group also explained the history of the weapons.

The Steel Ring Academy pursues excellence in Historical European Martial Arts. According to Steel Ring Academy's website, HEMA is the "study and practice of individual weapons combat as it was taught and practiced in the Medieval and Renaissance periods all over Europe."

The Steel Ring Academy website notes that "HEMA sporting events are held worldwide and sword fencing is fast becoming a largely recognized sport. There are many groups that practice HEMA all over the world. HEMA's diversity and scope of period is broad and covers weapon and fighting styles from hand-to-hand grappling, to sword play, to polearms and great shields."