It's On! BALI ROYALE SHOWDOWN!

May 05, 2017 21 Comments

Why everyone comes away a winner at this years Blade Show balisong competition!

Competition is the medium to which the ultimate performances are achieved.  Through competition records are set, history is made, and champions are born.  This year the Bali Royal Showdown (B.R.S.) hosted by Blade Magazine and organized and co-sponsored by BRS and BladeHQ will set one of the biggest stages of live competition in the balisong manipulation world.  

Being competitive is certainly not unfamiliar for those who are mastering the art of the balisong (butterfly knife).  Battles have long been part of this niche part of the knife community with individual flippers earning reputation for superior skills and technique, execution, and/or inventing new tricks.  Though there have been other live events, most contests are held tightly within the community through online mediums such as forums, Facebook, or Instagram.  The Bali Royale Showdown aims to make the biggest live stage for balisong competition in arguably the biggest knife event of the year in Blade Show.  Being able to compete in person will bring out the best from each competitor challenging them to execute tricks live with fewer attempts and time than they may have if only performing in front of a camera.  Live performances are always more intense and engaging since they are done so in front of an audience and your mistakes count for more than just a retake.  

In addition to bringing out the best in each competitor, Bali Royale will also let a fresh set of eyes engage in the artform and sport of balisong flipping.  The aim is to expose and educate the general knife community and public at large about the balisong, its competitive side, and the flippers who engage in the sport.  BladeHQ plans to also have live video coverage of the event through Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube, while BRS will host a brief intro to balisong flipping as well as a Q & A session.  BRS and BladeHQ not only aim to put on an awesome show, but also leave the audience with some new knowledge and perspective on balisongs and the sport and art of flipping.

How does the competition work?  Unlike most sports where there are points, runs, goals scored, flipping is a little different.  But the format of the competition has been made so the audience can easily follow along.  The first part of the competition is a trick for trick showdown where two flippers are on stage and one must match the same trick as his opponent.  They have a limited amount of failed attempts at each trick that once exhausted would eliminate him from that round with the winner advancing to the next round.  Then when the competitors have narrowed down, a timed, freestyle format will be used with each flipper’s performance being scored by a panel of judges.  The winners will advance in a preset tournament bracket until ultimately two flippers will face off in a grand finale.  The winner crowned the Bali Royale Showdown Champion!  

What’s at stake?  Bali Royale has brought on a great amount of sponsors who will be supplying prizes for the tournament participants as well as the audience.  BRS will award the Ultimate Champ with a limited Alpha Beast Infinity.  The Champ will also take home a custom made plaque crowning him or her the Ultimate Champion for B.R.S.  2017.  BladeHQ will be giving away hundreds of dollars worth of gift cards, knives, and other merchandise.  Other potential sponsors will also be awarding knives and gear.  There is a lot of support shown by the industry and it’s a great way for knife brands/manufacturers and the community to come together!  

When all is said and done everyone can come away a winner.  The audience will learn more about a part of the knife community that is growing in the balisong community while the competitors will achieve a higher level of performance.  Plus lots of prizes and support merchandise to help spread the great atmosphere and vibes found each year at Blade Show.  

We hope to see you there!  

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