Is Jousting the Next Extreme Sport?

Jousting has held its popularity for more than 400 years in Europe. But these days there are mearly 200 competitive jousters competing around the world, about 30 from North America plus those who perform at Renaissance fairs and festivals.

The most famous jousting casualty was King Henry II of France, who died in 1559 after a lance penetrated his visor and went into his temple, but every knight who entered, did so knowing he risked injury or even death.

Charlie Andrews and Shane Adams joust in a style they call “full contact,” which, while popular in North America, is considered by the rest of the world to be unnecessarily dangerous. Its reputation isn’t helped by a YouTube video showing the two men describing their many injuries,

Andrews and Adams insist that jousting could be as big as Nascar or Ultimate Fighting, an ultra-macho sport with the extra appeal of horses and shining armor. They are on a mission to transform jousting from Renaissance-fair entertainment to arena sport.

Winner of 17 international titles, Shane Adams joins us to talk about the sport and share tales of jousting. Be a part of the discussion LIVE on Wednesday, December 11th @ 7PM EST.