Inside Western Pennsylvania’s thriving sword-fighting community

Sword fighters prepare their gear for the Friday Night Fights tournament at Broken Plow Western Martial Arts.

Todd Rooney of Shaler prepares to take on an opponent at Friday Night Fights.

Sword fighters compete in the Friday Night Fights tournament in East Deer.

Matthew Melonuk of Munhall (center), Tan Nguyen of Homestead (right) and Paul Ray of Braddock (left) prepare to compete in the Friday Night Fights tournament on Feb. 7 at Broken Plow Western Martial Arts in East Deer.

Josh Megahan of Shaler warms up before donning gear and competing in Friday Night Fights at Broken Plow Western Martial Arts in East Deer.

Matthew Melonuk of Munhall, with Waterfront Historical Fencing, competes in a European-style sword-fighting tournament at Broken Plow Western Martial Arts.

Sword fighters compete in the Friday Night Fights tournament on Feb. 7 in East Deer.

Sword fighters draw steel against each other in the Friday Night Fights tournament at Broken Plow Western Martial Arts in East Deer.

Josh Megahan of Shaler (center), Tan Nguyen of Homestead (left), with the Waterfront Historical Fencing club, and Malin Grant of Monroeville, founder and lead instructor of Pittsburgh Fighters Guild, prepare to compete in the Fright Night Fights tournament on Feb. 7 in East Deer.

Abigail McGovern of Irwin, competing in her first fight at Broken Plow Western Martial Arts in East Deer, says sword fighting is good exercise.