Local athlete to participate in World Axe and Knife Throwing Championship

NEOSHO, Mo. — A local man is representing a Neosho business in a global competition.

Mathew Ball has earned his bid from Anvil Axe Company in Neosho and will represent them at the World Axe and Knife Throwing Championship.

Competitors spend the year facing off against hundreds of other athletes to qualify for the 20 spots in categories like hatchets and duals — a team competition.

Athletes go through leagues for each season — to accumulate and earn points.

There are four seasons per year, and at the end of each season, judges calculate points made from the seasons — combining them to determine who qualifies for the world championship.

Ball, a professional axe and knife thrower, isn't new to sport.

"I was super excited. This will be my third year doing this type of competition. And so getting through the whole year and earning your bid to be able to go and be with the top 228 throwers in the world essentially to do this, it's an honor to be able to go,” said professional axe and knife thrower, Mathew Ball.

"I'm proud of all of our competitors that work, work out and go on to the world championship. Matt has been to the world championship a number of times and feel blessed that he's part of our team, that throw right out of here, Anvil Axe Company,” said Anvil Axe Company owner and professional axe and knife thrower, Gregg Ward.

Ward also qualified for three of the five categories: Big axe, axe throwing, and duals.

Those who qualify to make it to the world championship also have the chance to be on ESPN next April.