2.7.2019 / Czech Open (youth, juniors & adults)

Czech Open - We were second again

In days 1st to 3rd of March the biggest international competition in Czech Republic, traditional Czech Open, took place in Nymburk´s sport centre. There were lots of team from abroad – Estonia, Moldavia, Poland, Russia, Greece, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine. Also Czech schools were represented by large number of contestants.
In total there were 399 competitors, 9 countries and 38 schools.

Our school were represented by 20 contestants.

On Friday we registered then weighted ourselves and then we had renowned Nymburk´s dinner. After registration each school went to its own lodgings. This time our school was accommodated at Garni hotel somewhere in the middle of Nymburk. It was rather a dormitory still it was not bad. Referees were lodged elsewhere. Some of them even had to move to near town Sadská for the lack of capacity in Nymburk.

The plan for the evening was only the coach meeting and then hit the hay!

On Saturday morning we gathered at 7:30 already and had hearty breakfast. Then we moved to the hall, took a warm-up and at 8:30 we were lined-up for the opening ceremony and were saying the Taekwon-Do oath. Right before the competition began there was rewarding of the best pupils on federation scale for the year 2018. For our school it was Ondřej Faltin.

After ceremony all people spread out over six rings and the competition began. This time the first ones were senior males and females. Very soon younger and older pupils joined them. In the afternoon began the competition of sparring, power braking and special techniques. In total we were pretty successful and the name of Sonkal Praha was heard very often during medal rewarding. Green belts of female older pupils did not even let anybody else stand on winner´s podium. Lea, Tea, Bára and Anežka split all 4 medals among themselves. Each ring had its own schedule and so after 6 p.m. there could take place the proclamation of the best individuals among pupils and seniors. You can find the results of our contestants in section of competition. The best individuals of our school were Jiří Novák as the best male senior and Tereza Štekerová as the best female senior. Thus both representatives showed excellent form right before the following Europe championship.

In the afternoon our male and female juniors arrived at the weighing. All of them fitted their category with no problem and so we could go for dinner.

In the evening in congress hall there was a ceremony of proclamation of the best junior and senior individuals on federation scale of the year 2018. Our school won the category of patterns. In total summary of patterns and sparring we obtained third place. The individuals who took the prize were Tereza Štekerová, Kateřina Vítečková, Jan Veškra and Jiří Faltin.

After ceremony we spent our time discussing with friends from Taekwon-Do and one from Rugby team Tatra Smíchov in local restaurant.

The Sunday programme was about juniors. In the morning it was the same scenario as previous day – arrival, breakfast and line-up. Then the contest began. Our five junior males and females came up to our expectations. They won almost everything they could. During special techniques several juniors from different schools did not pass the nomination technique.

Just as on Saturday the organisers managed to fulfil the schedule and around 6 p.m. there was the proclamation of the most successful schools. We gained second place even though there were lots of rivals. We were missing just one golden and four silver medals to win first place which eventually obtained school of Karviná.

We were quite satisfied with our results and most of competitors were trained well for this contest. What I consider the biggest problem are our competitors´ heads. All of us train hard in sweat and drudgery but if I step to the ring convinced that I am going to lose that could have devastating impact on my performance. All of us know somewhere deep inside that we are good. Lots of Sonkal people rank among the best taekwondists in the Czech Republic and even in Europe. So let´s believe in ourselves more! For the opponents notice how we behave, how we look. And he is more afraid of somebody who radiates mettle and self-confidence. My friend always say that he is “sending evil” towards his opponent before the fight . So for the next time – we work hard but mostly we believe in ourselves. Because we are great and have what it takes .