Karolina Urbanova, a 24-year-old from a small Czech village, broke two world records at the Lumberjack World Championships in Hayward, Wisconsin, highlighting the growing global reach of lumberjack sports among women. The event, held annually since 1960, drew 40 female competitors this year alongside 66 men, reflecting a steady rise in female participation despite the sport remaining niche in much of Europe.

Urbanova set new records in the Women's Standing Block, chopping through 9in of white pine in 19.38 seconds, and the Women's Underhand Chop, completing 11in in 21.28 seconds, both improving on previous marks by around two seconds. Hayward native Meredith Ingbretson also set a record, winning the Women's Boom Run in 13.78 seconds after a year of dedicated training. According to event director Samantha LaSalle, the number of female competitors has more than trebled over the past 30 years, with women originally restricted to logrolling before gradually gaining entry to chopping and sawing events.