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HEMA in Oslo: Photos from the Oslo Penguin Cup 2025

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Sivert Almvik
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Two longsword-armed HEMA fencers in protective gear prepare for a bout as others watch.

I photographed the Oslo Penguin Cup 2025 at Bygdøy in Oslo, a two-day Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) tournament featuring longsword, sabre and rapier. Here are the images that capture the speed, focus and movement of the event.

I had the opportunity to attend the Oslo Penguin Cup 2025 on 15-16 November as a guest of the organisers. The event, run by Fekteklubben Frie Duellister, focuses on Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), and in this case longsword, sidesword, sabre and rapier, under a ruleset that emphasises weighted target scoring, full-tempo afterblows, and required protective gear.

I shot these photos with my Nikon Zf and with a vintage Canon FD 35-105 f/3.5. Manual focus was a hassle at first. I quickly got better at predicting where the action was taking place, and my hitrate of sharp images increased.

Below are photos from the weekend, and it is a mix of competition, concentration and steel in motion. Enjoy.

A group of HEMA participants relax and chat on a bench, one wearing full blue protective gear.
A seated spectator watches while a HEMA fighter in black gear stands ready beside the judges’ table.
Two HEMA fighters exchange overhead strikes as a referee watches the action closely.
Two HEMA fencers clash in a close longsword exchange as spectators watch from the sidelines.
Spectators in the stands watch a longsword exchange happening in the foreground.
Two staff members in blue shirts discuss event details inside the hall.
Two HEMA fencers clash in a close longsword exchange as spectators watch from the sidelines.
Two longsword-armed HEMA fencers in dark gear prepare for a bout as others watch.
Two HEMA fighters push into a tight bind, surrounded by onlookers.
A smiling volunteer sits on the floor holding a fencing mask during a break at the event.
Two HEMA practitioners bump fists in congratulation after a bout.

About the author:

Sivert Almvik
I’m a street and documentary photographer living in Oslo, Norway. I’ve been taking photos since 2001, and this is my little «old school» space on the internet.

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