AUSTIN, Texas – What started as curiosity has taken a trio of Austinites all the way to the highest level of axe throwing, the National Axe Throwing Federation Championship in Toronto, Canada.

The axe throwing league, Urban Axes Austin, only arrived in the city five months ago. Organizers compare the sport to golf, darts or any other pastime that requires form, technique and mental preparation.

"Heavy duty darts in a way. You still have a bull’s eye that you’re aiming for and you have point values based on where you hit," said Urban Axes member Nathan Ford.

The Austin team is working to strengthen their skills before heading to Canada.

"Really all that’s at stake is showing them that we know how to throw axes down here in Texas and we know how to have a good time," said league manager Mikey Wheeler of Urban Axes Austin.

Some of the other 128 competitors from across the world have years of experience.

"It’s one of those thing where I’m trying to mitigate my expectations. I’m trying to get as good as I can to represent myself as well as I can but I also don’t want to get my hopes up too high and think that I’ll be able to defeat some of these guys who have been playing for years and have gotten really good at the sport," said Ford.  

The winner of the tournament will take home the Wilson Cup and a $7,500 cash prize.