The Verdict

I have to start this blog with a huge apology that I haven't updated in a while! It has been so busy here and almost impossible to get onto the only computer between 200 people!

Over the last weekend I competed in the Commonwealth Karate Championships and, if I may say, Holy Moly the level is amazing here. I was speechless as I watched 10 year olds do kata to a standard that I could never do it! My division was very tough! I went against champ after champ after champ (I almost had a heart attack when I saw my drawsheet for the first time). BUT I managed to place third! Which I am so unbelievably proud of!

Doug Graham placed bronze in a very close and tough kumite division.
Natalie Faint and Tasneem Cozyn fought a part of the Team kumite 14-15 years and their team placed silver! (This team is the reason I have no voice)
Did I mention the standard was spectacular-I think I may have.

Anyways, I am leaving the hotel at 11(which is about midnight for all of you peeps) and as soon as I get back I will update you awesome people on my whole trip. However, I may pass out as I enter my Front door so bear with me here.

Until then. I miss you guys
XxX

READY :)

Right! just a quick note that I am officially competing tomorrow morning. (which for most of you is Friday evening) Just doing my last minute preparations before I go and kick some butt.

This evening we had a training with the ex world champion Kumite ( to no surprise, he is Japanese) and he taught us some really interesting stuff :) I will post photos of this when I find this cable that I am on the search for.

Anyways, I am having the most amazing time ever and am feeling very motivated as I sit here in the Millennium Institute Of Sport and Health (MISH) sitting room typing on the Computers.

Ill let y'all know how I do
XxX

IN NEW ZEALAND!

Wow, traveling on the airplane is no easy feat. Gosh its exhausting actually. BUT, I did it! After about 20 hours of flying, we arrived in NZ Wednesday (very early!!).
We awoke at 6 this morning (Wednesday) after about 3 hours sleep and after searching the MISH grounds (Millennium Institute of Sport and Health..The SA netball team and NZ rugby team have stayed and trained here- ITS SO AWSOME, honestly makes me feel very athletic as it is fully equipped for any sport, ANY SPORT)

Anyways after training and breakies, We spent the day shopping and walking around the city in Auckland. Amazing day just missioning around and seeing new things. I must add there are alot of South Africans here!

I have photos but I need to find a cable to connect them first :)

Id like to end off by saying I do miss everyone.
XxX

Videos!

Ok So this is my Team Kumite fight at the triangular tournament in Oudshtoorn ( I can never spell that right!).

Just some fun facts for those of you who don't know what is cracka-lacking: A kick to the Body is 2 points. (I totally did 4 of them!-I think a 'Booya!' is in order here) I am in the blue belt with the unmistakable blond hair that seems out-of-control. And the people chearing behind me are a part of the amazing Western Province Team that kicked Butt at that tournament! Such an invigorating experience!

On another note. I have just come back from a training session and getting my kit! Very Nice.
Photos from the training session compliments of My Mom.

And here I am recieving my kit. As you can see, I am using my awkward pose I do when I have just  realized that someone is

 infact taking a photo of me.

Leaving on monday!

XxX

My Goings Ons

I know, I know, after the tournament in oudshtoorn, there hasn't been much blogging on my side. BUT don't panic, I am still alive and have just been training super hard for my Commonwealth tournament in Australia. You see, I leave on Monday! (Yes, it is the first day of school, for those bright sparkies who pieced that together!)

I will be departing at 1:30 on Monday from Cape Town International airport. After a few linking flights here and there and a whopping 20 hours, I will arrive in New Zealand! Here I will compete in the New Zealand Open as a 'warm up' for the commonwealth Champs that will be held the next weekend in Sydney.

So that's all there is for now but I promise there is a lot to follow. I defoz (translation; Definitely) will be blogging on all my doings while I am away! So keep following to see the amazing experiences I will be having.

Until Monday, I leave you with the official Logo for the Commonwealth Karate Championships.

PS: I am still waiting for an AWESOME video of the WP team kumite (fighting).
PSS: Stay Amazing
XxX

Oudsthoorn! and more!

Okay Wow.

This last weekend has been epic.
It  has been awesome!

Basically myself and the HUGELY gamungous Western Province team travelled up to the town of oudsthoorn to compete in the tra-angular champs! Just to give you a perspective, we had 3 bus's of 50 AND there were more driving up on there own. This was the biggest team I've ever traveled with!

The tournament was awesome! So well organised by SWD (south west districts) specifically Oudsthoorn. They even got a group of dancers to open the event. One of my friends from SWD actually sympathized with 'poor' Oudtshoorn saying, "Shame, they are trying so hard" (Successfully!)

(picture of the dancers)

The Champs was a great success. Nat winning Bronze for kumite, Taz winning Silver for kumite, Luke Romyne winning silver for kata and gold for kumite, Myself, double gold, Doug Graham, Silver for kumite, Bjorn Isaac winning Gold for kumite , Danika VB winning double Gold and Tiff VB winning double bronze!
Western Province did  so well that we actually took home the trophy, which was an amazing moment as all 150 of us grouped together, in our blue tracksuits, and celebrated the victory!

Here is a picture of my dojo and coaches with the trophy!

Now for the 'More' part...

My fundraiser!
Last night I had the 2nd Theatre Sports event at Kalk bay theatre and it went better than last time! (I know!, i didn't think that was possible) I'm sure many of you who were there had a good belly laugh and left with smiles on your faces, i know I did! But this smile that is stuck to my face even now, is mainly because I have such awesome friends and support that I am so grateful for!

So thank you!
For you have truly made these 2 nights a success and my trip to Australia possible!

I'm sure I have said this before, but if not, YOU ARE AMAZING!
Until next time, have a great holiday! and stay awesome!

(There is a video on its way of myself in the team event in Oudtshoorn!, so be excited!)
XxX

Update for everyone.

I would just like to give y'all a quicky update on my doings.

Firstly, the fundraiser is going so amazingly! I am so excited about all the awesome support I have received so far. However, there are still tickets available for both nights and I know there are a few people who want to come, but haven't booked yet. So, PLEASE book. You don't want to miss out on this, its so hilarious! And for those of you who are indecisive, decide to join us! Its THAT simple!

Also, myself and a few other competitors (whom I will list closer to the time), will be attending the triangular champs (Being Boland, South West Districts and Western Province-THE BEST OF COURSE!) this weekend in Oudswoorn. The top four of this tournament will qualify for the Western Cape team who will compete in regionals at the end of the year. Following a super awesome PE tour last weekend, my guess is that this tour will be fun fun fun!

Thats it for now! but dont worry! Just for your entertainment, I leave a video of, THE LEGEND (the other legend as Antonio Diaz is also 'the legend') Rika Usami doing a kata called Kosokun Dai. Enjoy!