Wilmington woman competing in inaugural World Axe & Knife Throwing ‘Blade Masters Tournament’

Paige Julian has only been competing for a year and a half, but is ready to show out for her hometown and her community

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) – Wilmington’s Paige Julian has never been a ‘sporty’ girl, but she’s always had that competitor in her.

“You can find home and accepting places in the most unexpecting areas,” says Julian. “I never thought my claim to fame would be being on ESPN.”

She is one of six Americans invited, out of thousands of throwers, to compete in the inaugural national tournament that will be broadcasted on the Worldwide Leader of Sports. The World Axe Throwing League, which comprises more than 350 axe throwing venues and over 15,000 active throwers around the world and The World Knife Throwing League with more than 170 venues and over 800 throwers worldwide, and rapidly growing. This competition incorporates both. It will be August 2nd.

Julian says she stumbled upon this hobby-now-passion. If it wasn’t for a rainy birthday, she may never have thrown her first axe or knife.

“We had planned needed to be cancelled I had driven by Axes and Allies a bunch, and I always thought that was intriguing. The lane behind me is the very first lane I ever threw on and knives became my first love and after my birthday I joined league.”

In her nearly two years in the sport, she’s had a meteoric rise, winning competitions and becoming a competition judge. Julian hopes the next woman like her will be willing to give the sport a try.

“I think this win would mean everything for me, especially being a female, because in most of the axe throwing knife throwing its always men in the final. To be in this arena is really exciting and I get to represent our state and our region.”

If anyone would like to meet Paige, she is routinely at Axes and Allies, and encourages any women to show up to their event next month on August 24th.