Axe-throwing may be the friendliest new sport in America

It is a particular boon to lonesome men who look like Vikings

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 28: Kevin Conklin throws a hatchet at a wood target wall at Bad Axe Throwing March 28, 2018 in Washington, DC. Conklin and fellow Capitol One employees participated in a team building exercise that included teams competing to see who could throw most accurately. Recreational axe throwing is growing in popularity and Bad Axe, which is moving next month to a bigger space in the District of Columbia, has more than twenty locations in the United States and Canada. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) — Image: Getty Images

Dec 15th 2022|APPLETON, WISCONSIN

About 7,000 miles from the other World Cup, an army of supporters and athletes, most of them bearded, descended on Appleton, Wisconsin, earlier this month armed with axes. Unlike the football equivalent, no allegations of irregularities were made regarding the choice of site for the World Axe Throwing Championship. Also, in contrast to Qatar, alcohol is encouraged. “One or two beers is perfect to calm the nerves,” advises one athlete, “though when you see two bulls’ eyes you know you’ve gone too far.”

This article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline “Chop chop”