JHKA Karate in Porec, Croatia 2023
JHKA Karate in Porec, Croatia 2023 š“ó §ó ¢ó „ó ®ó §ó æšš·
JHKA travelled to Croatia with four under 12 athletes to train and compete in the World Karate Federation WKF Youth Training Camp and Cup 2023.
Our four young athletes travelled on their first ever coach-athlete trip and competed in their first ever international competition abroad. This event just happened to be the best event for youth in the World.
They trained with World and European Champions and sparred with some amazing and talented kids from all over the world. A. Ogunyadeka was chosen by Stanislav Horuna (Olympic Bronze Medallist) on Day 2 to demonstrate and also Enver Idrizi (Croatiaās first ever world champion) to demonstrate on Day 3. We had such a fantastic training camp and loved every moment.
Unfortunately for the U12 Youth Cup, despite our efforts we couldnāt bring home any medals. There were a range of factors that prevented us from winning a medal and we were very sad coming away without.
On reflection, I know that these four athletes have potential far beyond this competition and our time is not now. We have E. Ubor (Commonwealth Bronze Medallist) J. Ward (English Silver Medallist) A. Ogunyadeka (Commonwealth Club Champion and English Silver Medallist) and K. Ross (British International Bronze Medallist). These athletes are under the ages of twelve years and have amazing talent that is developing in every opportunity.
All four athletes started their karate training in 2017. They have developed over the past six years from a five or six year old white belt to now purple / brown belts, they started as traditional karate students and are now national squad members.
A, E, K and J fought against countries all over the world, in the World Karate Federation Cup, three out of four of them scored points at the highest level. They are now āinternational athletesā, they have learned loads, experienced loads and have received exposure to the worlds most talented karate-ka.
As their coach, I know that they have lots to develop as they grow into teenagers and I believe in them as well as their development every step of the way. They will all be champions in the future and they are already role models to the rest of the club.
They have learned how to hang up their giās after each training session, fold their giās, do a competition equipment check before training days and competitions. They have dealt with their competition nerves without their parents and done it all with a smile on their face. They witnessed our older athlete K. Yogarajah skip his way into the evening each night to make sure that he makes his weight for the WKF Youth League and watched many international athletes inside the arena make weight with various different methods. Most importantly they helped me hang our England Flag on the arena rail and we were the first country to hang it in the competition šš“ó §ó ¢ó „ó ®ó §ó æā¤ļø
We have all bonded and been a team on this trip with great communication and memories to last forever.
We have had such an amazing time out here in Croatia, met some amazing people and made connections with National coaches from other countries. We looked so professional in our uniform and we were a mini āEngland Karate Teamā. We felt an amazing feeling to be part of such a fantastic event for the sport that we all love.
Thank you for Forza Karate Club for all your support throughout and well done the K. Yogarajah for winning his first round at his first ever WKF Youth League. A fantastic 4-0 win against Italy and next time we will build on this to progress further.
Thank you once again to our Main Sponsors for all of your support in helping us reach this event, we couldnāt have done it without your help.
Sussex Capital Holdings Ltd
Eatalia (Thorpe Bay)
