A group of skilled axe and knife throwers from the area is sharpening their skills as they prepare for the 2025 World Axe & Knife Throwing Championships in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Among them is Steven Greene, owner of Adirondack Axe, who is no stranger to the sport or the competition. For Greene, this event is more than just a challenge; it’s a family affair.

“We’re pretty excited. Hopefully, we’ll do a little bit better than last year,” Greene said. “I get to play with my son, which is great. We would have placed a little higher in duels last year, but he’ll tell you that it was my mistake, which it was.”

Greene’s son, Kaden Greene, is also competing and hopes to improve on their previous performance.

“It’s gonna be a good one,” Kaden said. “We’re gonna play duels, and we’re gonna try to place better than we did last time.”

Andrew Straight joins them, who team members say is the most positive and enthusiastic person in the group, and Nicholas Mead, another competitor who got his start in axe throwing through a Viking reenactment group before transitioning to competitive throwing.

“When Steve opened his first venue, I went to throw there, and I kind of just stuck around,” Mead said.

For Colden Pipek, a first-time competitor at the world championships, the sport is about more than just skill—it’s about the community.

“That’s what kind of kept me interested in this sport,” Pipek said. “I did a lot of combat sports beforehand. But it’s the experience and the people. That’s what really drew me to it.”

This year’s competition, which will run from April 3 to 6, will feature 256 hatchet throwers, 128 big axe throwers, and a brand-new knife-throwing division. The event will be streamed online at the WKTL’s website.