18.11.2009 / Czech Republic Championship of youth, juniors, seniors and veterans

National championship through eyes of non-taekwondist

Sunday, November 13. Alarm ringing, sun slowly rising and Prague waking up to other nice sunny day. It is common day of relax for some people, but for few it is day of stress, think of how surprisingly this day will end. Yes, it is day D, flash-point of everyday, lifelong hard work on oneself. Everyone had to pass hours and hours of trainings to have chance to succeed. So come together to see, how did they cope with this chance :o)

After Prague local championship, place of competition moved to Nymburk sport hall. Nice multipurpose center, that host big
sport events. Why Nymburk? I think that this hall has everything such a big tournament needs. Accommodation, dinning room with great cooks, swimming pool, sport halls and technical background for organizers. What else sportsman need for good performance?

Each team has to pass registration, familiarizing with new place and also with nervous atmosphere (some tried luck on toilet, some ate chocolate, food of happiness and relaxation :o), so everyone spent their time before competition in his way if did not want to chat in entry hall. I want to mention that I was surprised and happy to see how friendly people were towards each other, even when they became rivals next day. I saw no bloody eyes, as I imagined in field of martial sports, but just sights of respect, as it should be in all sports.

We moved to gymnasium, where all should happen. Everything was professionally prepared. It was my first time on Taekwondo competition, my first time on martial art tournament, so I enjoyed every second of two day battle. It was amazing how everyone showed respect by bow when entering or leaving hall, entering or leaving tatami/fight, after referees´ decision etc.

When Master came…

I am glad that I had opportunity to see the most important person of Czech Taekwondo (and one of the most important in world of Taekwondo), North Korean Master. I was told that he has 8th dan and is the most respecter capacity in technical aspects of fighting. I found out that Master is personality, as Michael Jordan for me in basketball. Everyone treated him with respect, as he deserves. Again…wonderful.

Fights…

I sit in audience and see as everyone prepares himself for his performance. It is important to stretch and warm up well to improve performance and be safe regarding injuries.

Taekwondists competes in 4 disciplines: T-ki – breaking while jumping, tul – performing of learnt patterns, wirok – braking on the ground, and fighting of which proper Korean term I cannot remember. Competitors were divided regarding age, weight and also technical level (belt). The youngest with lowest technical level started. I still see these younglings performing their patterns with ferocity and taking their medals with pride. I was happy to shake hands to two kids and two adults that passed their first championship well enough to get medal. Such a great feeling, congratulations again and good luck for future. Believe me or not, but when I saw all the competitors fighting, showing all they know, I would like to perform to. I was shivering during the most intensive moments. Everyone, entering the ring, wanted to be the king, when leaving. Punch for a punch. I found out, that it is not only important to give, but also to get punches and kicks and be able to counterattack from defense – I think this is the way it goes in common life also.

I enjoyed sparring the most because there you see how high technical level is, how well competitor is able to use techniques in real situation and how fast can he think about the situation and evaluate it in wink of the eye.

Thank you…

It was a pleasure to be small part of this sport event. To see how competitors that loses this time leaves with pride and honor and how happy are winners. Everyone was winner in my eyes.

I thank to all Sonkal Praha for unforgettable experience, new friendships I was able to make. You are great team and I saw that you help each other and like each other. I hope that you will do as fine in future and that we will meet again.

Last but not least I thank to my girlfriend Kristýna to show me taekwon-do a also that when person work a lot on himself, it is possible to achieve unbelievable results. Love you Kiki.

I wish all of you luck in sport, no injuries and bit of luck.

Long live the sport. Mikuláš.