2nd Round WAKTC IX Bid Winners

February 6th, 2026

Qualifying Throws for WAKTC IX have been reviewed, and we’re ready to present the winners!

These competitors worked hard, submitting videos of their very best attempts. Between the highs and lows of those marathon style throws, they have earned their spot at the World Axe Throwing Championship. We thank both the winners, and the others who submitted Qualifying Throw videos. Great throwing, all around!

Without further ado, here’s a huge congratulations to the following winners of each discipline:

Qualifying Throws Bids

Pro Hatchet

Ryan Smit
Sean Rameika
John Bradley
Kevin Campbell
Derek Mozdzierz
Benjamin Parker
Michael Fitzgerald
Brandon Elliott
Greg Lindauer
Travis Wilson
Derrick Bell
Connor Pedersen
Bradford Goodwillie
Austin Campbell
Jaden Wong
Patrick Futscher
Peter Brown
Victor Trofimuk
Trace Bailitz
Sam Gardner
Cj Blohm
Jarom Surface
Tyler Kambeitz
Devin Wickham
Amber Norman
Logan Smiledge
Zachary Caldwell

Big Axe

Douglas George
Peter Brown
Ryan Gustin
Dylan Baker
Robert Barney
Nicolis Alexander
Leslie Wellman
Devon Calderon
Zachary Caldwell
Tom Nelson
Trey Cain
Benjamin Gaddy

Hatchet Duals

Ryan Gustin & Joey Sparks
John Kautter & Shaun Daniels
Jackson Gissel & Raulin Goodman
Austin Campbell & Tyler Kambeitz
Makoto Kato & Hirano Shunnosuke
Sarah Woody & Alex Miller
Greg Lindauer & Josh Watson
Connor Pedersen & Jave Yoshimoto
Shelby Field & Lucas Nichols
Gregory Stout & Logan Smiledge
Garrett Bailey & Nels Solberg
Cory Mount & Jessee Alexander

Trickle Bids

If you weren’t able to get a high enough score to earn a Qualifying Throw bid to WAKTC IX, don’t worry! We have also processed the next round of bids, trickling down from the first round earners who declined their bids. Those competitors can be found here:

Pro Hatchet

Chara Green
Johnathan Taylor
Don Swedberg
Gary Gorke
Joe Flaugher
Kevin Campbell
Mike Resz
Roger Melendrez
Tom Knapp
Jimmy Steinhorst
Jonathan Qualls
George Harris
Dan Selman
Chris Kappenman
Austin Farmer
Shinichiro Kurogi
J Robert Rankin
Matt Lichtfuss
Keith Hummel
Ted Cook
Chris Anderson
Micah Fonoroff
Brian Vincent
Casey Faulkner
Treavor Quinn
Connor Steck
Jackson Woolley
Dylan Baker
Mike Honeywell

Am Hatchet

Brian Blake
Lexi Brown
Stephanie Mozdzierz
Alexis Kugler
Ryan Wilson
Krissy Teets
Keith Jeffery
Kelsey Endthoff
Blake Wiemann
Thomas Fenn Jr
Melody Rohaly
Frank Rohloff
Mike Benoit
Ross Hansen
Mike Cooper
David Lyon
Glenn Roberts
Mike Cool
Brody Mchale
Christopher Rochefort
Brian Angelotti
Papa Tom Keisling
Mark Harchar
Neil Wallace
Michael Beach
Britt Johnston
Doug Snider III
Hannah Clark
Wes Cross
Michael Westbrook
Gregory Stout
Trevor Mueller
Zander Lopez
Christopher Jones
Nathan Koizumi
Erika Brynildsen
Kevin Moore
Fred A
Hayden Coleman
Megan Desilva
David Sauls
Major Tesnear
Denny Ell
Paul Hartman
James Culver
Shawn Autry
David Chambo II
Shinobi Jp
Ryan Bradley

Big Axe

Vinny Festa
Frank Gutierrez
Johnathan Taylor
Bo Trammell
Wade Pettus
Zach Vann
Adam Mckeithan
Kevin McNair
Matt Hurtt
Philippe Lachance
Aj Jenson
Katie Dupuis
Cameron Thoms
Paul Strobis
Mike Del Duca

Hatchet Duals

Dan Fisher & Elias Assad
Mike Torres & Chev Machado
Tom Corey & Mike Del Duca
Steven Fort & Cameron Thoms
Trey Cain & Shawn Autry
Damon Latham & Richard Wetzel
Dan Brynildsen & Erika Brynildsen
Danny Williams & Mike Cool
Philippe Lachance & Katie Dupuis
Calebh Shedd & Jeffrey Mcclellan
Drew Kesterke & Emery Wood
Nick Richardson & Sara Richardson
Albert Dubey & Chris Harnett
Melissa Reed & Keith Hummel
Aidan Valois & Joe Valois
Brian Nimmo & Randy Pritchard
Austin Wilkins & Ernie Wilkins
Trevor Weaver & Barry Burris
Michael Fitzgerald & Gordon Dains
Ted Cook & Lonnie Kirkley

WATL Affiliate Nomination & Discretionary Bids

Last but not least, we have our annual WATL reserved bids – invitations to the competition based on the merit of contributions to the sport and community, as well as (new in 2026!) 6 reserved Affiliate-nominated bids for each discipline! We’re excited to announce those bid winners below:

Pro Hatchet

Robert Holley
Kody Boyle
Scott St Clair
Kevin McNair
Sam Arias
Josh Eggert
Vin Crescenzo
Dave Alviso
Gordon Dains
Aidan Kent
Gavin Caissie
Brian Berry
Jessee Alexander
Jimmy Nettles
Casey Marble
Matt Pelletier

Am Hatchet

Marcia Lozier
Heather Teichgraeber
Stephanie Marcus
Nicholas Richardson
Sana Khan
Robert Cosmos
Sara Richardson
Camron MacDougall
Anna Brynildsen
Vicki Howard
Rachel Speelman
Lloyd Bombell
Sarah Hilyard
Emma Brynildsen
Lorie Park

Big Axe

Shelby Field
Ashlyn Lampela-Christmas
Bob Ferguson
Erik Rimblas
Pamela Erickson
Steve Bridges
Kody Boyle
Davontae Washington
Ted Cook
Josh Eggert
Vin Crescenzo
Dave Alviso
Jason Walters

Hatchet Duals

Robert Cosmos & Gabriel Neel
Michael Beach & Paul Jenny
Camron MacDougall & Vicki Howard
Thomas Fenn III & Thomas Fenn Jr
Hayato Tokutake & Asahi Nakahara

What’s Next for Bid Winners

There is an extended timeframe for 2nd round bids to accept their bids (March 1, 2026), as well as submit their jersey orders to Sublime (March 2, 2026).

Again, huge congrats to the 2nd round bid winners, another thank you to all competitors who participated in both Qualifying Throws and the 2025 competitive season in general. A MASSIVE thank you to the affiliates who helped not only host & facilitate Qualifying Throws for competitors of WATL, but also those who nominated competitors – every submission we received was heartfelt and supportive. If you’re not an affiliate, please do what you can to support your local WATL affiliate’s business!

As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to us at [email protected].