It is a competition that is growing in popularity, known as the meeting of the Big Throwers.

A small Hungarian village has been the venue for the 17th European knife and axe-throwing championships.

Some 130 participants from 14 countries took part in the event, despite rain that made conditions rather slippery.

László Dicső, the Mayor of Alsómocsolád, told Euronews: “This is a sport like soccer or judo. The only difference is there’s no tradition of this in Hungary, so we’re the pioneers here and we’d like to spread this sport around the country.”

One of the serious contenders was 50-year-old Pierre Cazoulat from France. He began the sport as a boy … sometimes leaving his parents less than impressed.

“When somebody gave me a knife I tried to stick it into the wood, into the floor of my room, into the door. So it was very complicated with my parents.”

There are strict rules for the competition, with different types and sizes of axes and knives used.

Euronews correspondent Andrea Hajagos decided to give it a go, even though she said it wasn’t really her thing, just in case there was some hidden talent.

There was a loud clanging sound off-screen after she threw a knife, leaving her in a fit of laughter. So yes, probably safer to leave the axes and knives in the hands of the experts!

Various competitions are held throughout the year; the last World Championship event was held in Germany in June.