A team of 14 soldiers from Fort Campbell, Ky., took first place at the Army Combatives Tournament at Fort Benning, Ga. The victory marked the Campbell’s first team win at the competition. Another first was the participation of Col. Thomas MacDonald, Fort Benning garrison commander, who became the highest ranking fighter in the tournament’s five-year history. The three-day tournament began with weigh-ins Thursday and saw the participation of 318 soldiers from across the Army, with some coming from as far away as Japan and Iraq. Seven female soldiers fought in the preliminary rounds, though none made it to the finals. But participation by women was up from four who took part in last year’s tournament and up from two who fought in 2007. Photos by Colin Kely / Staff.
Click here for video and a list of winners from this year's competition.
