November 10th 2009 - 1st Day in Rabat

4.00pm and training commenced again with a twist. Greg Francis took the squad for a 20 minute warm up with his fit2fite with music, while other countries looked on a bit bemused while they did more traditional warm-ups. The Kumite Squad under Wayne Otto's supervision  then got into groups of 3 to do some combinations and then into pairs with one person attacking and one defending. Jon Mottram took the Kata Squad with individuals going through their choice of Kata. The Squad are working extremely well together giving each other support and encouragement. The coaches are encouraging the young Squad and really helping them to be focus and be prepared for the next few days.

Overseing, as Head of Delegation, Ticky Donovan OBE is taking a real interest in the Squad, watching them train. The Squad will be heading back to the hotel around 6.00pm for dinner and a rest.

Tomorrow the EKF President Carl Lindley joins the Squad and the delegation as final preparations are made and the Squad are registered.

Thank you to all the Squad's friends and karate ka who have sent them messages of support and good luck - please keep them coming and your messages will be passed onto the Squad.

The squad returned to the hotel about 11.30  to freshen up and get something to eat, there will be a further training session this afternoon. 

The Squad left for breakfast at 8.00am, a little tired but OK. We set off at 9.15am and are fortunate that there is a training stadium around the corner from the hotel about 5 minutes walk away. Other teams training at the venue have been Tunisia, Australia and Iran.The Squad started some light training with the kumite squad going through some sparring combinations while the Kata Squad worked in pairs. The Squad are in high spirits and are extremely eager to get going.

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