37th EKF Junior & Cadet Championships, Turkey 2010
February 3rd - 1st day of training in Turkey
Posted 3rd February 2010
After an early night the squad met for breakfast at 8am. A short break then kumite training started at 8am. Juliette and Ian took the first session with Wayne keeping a watchful eye on proceedings. The squad worked in pairs on attack & defence, timing & combinations. One attacked while one defended then they swapped.
After about an hour the kata squad under Jonathan Mottrams supervision then took to the floor working first individually on short combinations within their chosen katas then in teams. The squad will have a rest this afternoon before meeting up for an early evening meal.
It was decided after a break in the afternoon that the team kata atheltes would have another training session with Jon Mottram. The teams performed sections of their katas to the rest of the national coachs and squad. The teams then peformed their chosen kata with bunkai to rounds of applause.
The squad team have bonded really well throughout team pre-training back home and here in Turkey, they are united and motivated to do well at these championships, not just as individuals but as a team overall and even though the squad have a lot of pressure on them they are showing a maturity beyond their years as a team. They are supporting each other and encouraging one another which is good to see. I'd personally just like to thank all the supporting EKF associations, clubs and Instructors who have sent in their best wishes to the squad and to all the parents, friends and familes of the squad who have sent messages too. Its good to know they are well supported in their endeavours. I will ensure that they know of the messages of support you are sending in.
Tomorrow is registration day so some atheltes will be resting while others will do some light training to keep focused.
More updates to follow.............