26.4.2012 / Czech national team camp1 coment

One day with czech national team

My long-term life philosophy is "I´ll sleep enough in grave" so after returning from Nitra Cup I´ve turned alarm clock to 6:30AM to brought Tomáš Vodička
to national team preparation camp for European championship (he competed in Nitra so was allowed to join rest of national team later).

Our eyes were hard to keep open, but fortunately we have few minutes left to pump some caffeine into our veins.

Morning training was in Aurora spa and trainers were able to cope with smaller space. Female seniors practiced team patterns, juniors practiced individual patterns and veterans practiced patterns and self-defence. Large group of taekwondists trying to achieve individual nomination was led by GM Hwang covering patterns from Choong-Moo to Choi-Yong. Grandmaster focused on deep details and correct rhytm.

My original intention - to watch and take photos was changed by Milan Prokeš with words: " Ondraaa , you know So-San tul, don´t you?" , so I changed role to personal consultant. But sincerely I was happy to do it and I hope that it will help Milan to achieve gold.

Afternoon training was moved to big sport hall in Třeboň with 3 tatami mats and boxing room. Goal of this training was patterns and then to change in 30 minutes parts practicing sparring, cardio training in boxing room and sparring-drills. Boxing room part was the hardest because of sauna-like air temperature :o)
Focus of sparring-drills was flying and back kicks with fluent transit to next techniques.
Juniors under lead of Jan Mraček used protection vests, allowing them higher contact.
I highly respect all 5 veterans who showed, especially in cardio training, that they are not scrap iron yet. Some of juniors should try their way ....

That was my time with czech national team, I wish them no injuries and good luck on European championship in May.

Onřej Vrábel