The tradition has been banned by the authorities (AFAIK) because someone was put in a coma a few years ago. I'm guessing he is referring to men still being allowed to fight back then? Maybe it was (still is) seen as virtuous for men to fight? I dont know
I think he’s being sarcastic :-)
Yes, you got that right :)
Thank you for explaining, I couldn't tell if you were being sarcastic, or actually doing the whole toxic "remember when men were men" nonsense.