Morocco 2009 Kumite Training Blog  - The Road to Rabat

Posted 8th November 2009

Having arrived at 'the hobbit hotel' and Matt's dojo in Halifax, home to the squad for a week! Never having done an official pre training before, nerves and anxiety were at their highest! There were smiles and tears, but I think it is safe to say, every single squad member is both physically and mentally prepared! A huge thank you to coaches and mentors, Wayne, Ian, Greg and Natalie and to Matt for making us feel so welcome!  Best of luck to everyone, ENGLAND..Ahoo..ahoo ahoo!!!
Rio Smith

Looking back over the past week I can truely see the growth within the team both physicaly an mentally. The training and support given to us by Wayne, Ian, Greg an Natalie has prepared each an everyone of us to fulfill our potential, strive for medals and achieve our goals. I would really like to thank them for that. Also thanks to Matt for all his help. The team have bonded really well and although we worked hard we've had fun. Lets Go England!!
Reisha Hull

Posted 7th November 2009

The squad is ready to compete at the highest level possible and achieve the best results England have ever produced. We are the most mentally and physically prepared squad and there is a real belief we can all win.
Alex Sell

This week has been highly productive both physically and psychologically. The set up that Coach Wayne has enforced is surely a beneficial and successful one. From the individual training we were asked to do, 2 months prior to this, to the pretraining week, it is evident we are as prepared as we should be and the coaches have enforced their successful mental and physical preparation on us to ensure we perform to the best of our abilities. Many thanks to Wayne, Greg, Ian, Nathalie, Mo and Matt.
Ross Mathieu

I feel that the training over this past week have been of the highest standards possible and that there is a huge buzz around the squad and everyone is eager to do well. I belive that we have become a tightly knitted unit and are now ready to excert our dominance over the world and show everyone how powerful England really are.  I would like to thank Sensei's Wayne, Greg, Ian and Natalie for getting us ready for these championship and sharing with us there wise words of wisdom, I would also like to thank Matt for the use of his wonderful dojo for the week. I hope we come back with some of the best result ever as I believe in every member of this squad. Let's go ENGLAND.
Gavin Bailey

The week started with us all being quite guarded but during the week everyone has felt comfortable enough to open up and become  one team instead of a group of individuals, our team is ready fight  ready to win and ready to fulfil our potential. The coaches have looked after us with everything, they have made sure we're ready and  have let us know they believe in us which is a massive compliment. Big  thanks to the coaching staff and the squad. Also a massive thank you has to go to Sensei Matthew Handley for giving us the use of his dojo and the kind gesture of making sure everyone got a good luck card. The week was summed up in a circle after the last session where  inspirational words were said and then the almighty England cheer! I just want to wish the team the best and let everyone know that were all going to do our best!
Gareth Hains

Over the past week I have witnessed and been a part of the best pre-tournament preparation I believe a junior team has ever done. The preparation was not only done in the dojo but also in the hotel where the team became a unit. All the coaches have worked so hard in pushing us into reaching our peaks and I think that our squad will exceed the achievements of the Paris squad. We will show the world what English karate is about!
Jay kirton

Posted 6th November 2009

After resting on Wednesday, the squad were back in full swing on Thursday which was another full-on tripple session, with an early start and 2 more sessions during the day.

The squad are now relaxing in their final evening of pre-training together, apparently they are having an EKF 'X' Factor evening! Tomorrow the squad will have a final early morning session before ending their pre-training and making their way home.

The squad will be meeting up on Monday with their Kata colleagues to travel to the World Championships together. The road to Rabat is nearing its final destination.

Posted 5th November 2009

Its good I have enjoyed everything we have done so far. The worse bit is getting up early in the morning.
Chloe Cooper

Training is good its been a good experence the improvements that  have been made within the sessions. I think the squad is a good one this time round. I feel the squad has gelled really well and everyone has got on really well so far.
Ryan Jay

I feel the training has been tough but due to the help given to me and the squad by the coaches has prepared us all well for this week and the competition. I am sharing a room with Ryan Jay and we're getting on really well and its made the trip enjoyable. The best part about the trip so far is not having to worry about what I eat because I'm one of the heavy weights.
Cheyne Phillips

The coaches have given us some good sessions so far and are doing a great job at  preparing us. I think the squad has  gelled really well and feel like we're becoming  really close as a squad and as friends. The best for me so far is training as a squad and being able to approach the coaches really easily.
Kate Karwacinski

I've been enjoying the training its been hard and benefitial. Everyone gets on well and the squad are all really good together, even  the  morning sessions arent too bad overall pre training is going well and i think its going to prepare everyone for the worlds.
Hannah Baker

Training has been really enjoyable the whole squad has got on very well. The coaches have been really helpful and have worked really hard to make sure we do the best we can.
Tom Hickman

I've been enjoying the training sessions so far and getting to know everyone in the squad. The coaches have been really encouraging and helpful and I feel I'm well prepared for the World's.
Stephanie Thorndick

Training is hard but good. The only problem is we get up really early! I cant wait to get there.
Jake Langley

I thought it would be hard getting up in the morning to train but afterwards you get a real good feeling and what makes it better is that there is a great atmosphere.
Jacob Kiernan

Posted 4th November 2009

The kumite squad had another early start to the dojo with Wayne Otto and the Coaches. The squad may be taking some time out today, must be all the hill walking, they'll be running to the dojo and back by the end of the week!

The squad are relaxing for the rest of the day. National Coach Wayne Otto is pleased with the way the squad are bonding, training and how they have a positive attitutude towards their training, so this evening the squad will be spending their time together and maybe going bowling as a treat. Matt Handley has seen the squad training and is enthused as to the young squad's abilities and attitude and how they all look like world class medallists.

Posted 3rd November 2009

A very early start for the kumite squad this morning with the first training session starting at 7.30am, the squad again worked on techniques and 5 combinations. The squad are back at the hotel for a well earned breakfast before heading off for round 2!

After a late breakfast the squad returned to the dojo for the second session from 12.30 until 2pm. Apparently there are lots of hills around the hotel and dojo so lots of walking to make them all extra fit! The squad returned again to the dojo late afternoon to carry on the training for a final session of the day. Back to the hotel in the evening (more hill walking!) for the evening meal and study time/free time. The squad are working well together, very focused and actually enjoying the training, although the training is hard they know its going to pay off.

Just like to say a big thank you to Matt Handley for allowing the junior squad to use his dojo for free and for making it available to Wayne Otto as and when the squad require it. Also, to the hotel staff who are looking after the squads well being and appetites, I hear they are enjoying the food and some are going back for seconds!

Posted 2nd November 2009

An early start was had by most for the trip to Halifax for the pretraining before the Junior world championships. The kumite squad all met at the hotel at noon.

After the squad were allocated their rooms they then met up with the coachs, where the National Coach Wayne Otto OBE gave the team a debrief and what was to be expected of the them while at pretraining. The squad then went to Matt Handleys dojo which is only a few minutes walk from the hotel to start their pretraining. The squad's first session lasted for 1.5 hrs focusing on techinques, drill and sparring. After a break the squad then had a second session and trained until 6.30pm. In the evening, the squad went back to the hotel to freshen up and have their evening meal togther at 7.30pm. The squad then settled down for the evening with Wayne Otto ensuring they have study time so not to miss out on school work.

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