This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The sound of swords on shields rang through Liberty Park on Saturday as members of the United Clans Swordsman Association competed in European martial arts.
Members of the group fought in various disciplines including the Long sword, Short Sword, Dagger, and unarmed fighting and defense.
The public could not participate but was invited to watch.
"There is a huge misconception that in Europe, the fighting style until fairly recently was very simply hacking and slashing at each other. The idea that there were no martial arts of Europe, could not be further from the truth. This martial art is just as complex as anything taught in the east and the system is as complex as anything found there," says Michael Ricks, a UCSA instructor.
The association has two classes each week, one on Friday nights and another from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturdays at Liberty Park.
For more information on the UCSA, go to http://www.theucsa.com.