Munich News

Hello All,

As you all know from previous posts, Andrew Mills was in Munich competing in the WORLD (mistake from an earlier post) Karate Championships. I kept up to date with him via Whatsapp during the weekend, to make sure he would not forget anything.
Andrew is the type of person that would contemplate continuing to play the playstation if his house was on fire. So keeping routine is important with him and the team has a particular routine. Since Zachary and I were absent from the compeition a vivid Whatsapp was sent to him when he notified me that he arrived!
Having travelled from Friday morning, he arrived on Friday in his hotel room. Its Zanshin routine to bath before compeititons and after them to relax our muscles. THERE WAS NO BATH.
This made us very sad.
Other routine features are:

• Yasmin and Zachary being very hyperactive and laughing at every single thing that is not remotely funny!
• Sensei Terry cracking up several times before we get to the hotel
• Hanging up of the Karate Suits and belts  - This is a very important moment, and is mostly done by me for both the boys (most likely trying to find an iron for Zachary as well- as he couldnt be bothered to iron his suit)
• The collection of energy drinks, 3 each exactly
• The distribution of numbers - the numbers will be displayed on the back of our karate suits and it is important we have them the night before

Whether Andrew abided by any of this is unknown to me at the moment, maybe I am just controlling.

Training back in Northern Ireland continued as normal on Saturday. 1pm-3pm in Coleraine West Community Centre.
Every time my phone sounded I was permitted by Sensei Terry to look at the notification incase it was Andrew.
Zachary and I attempted to perform Unsu, in the type of manner that could convince someone we were 1. Confident in the kata   2. Remotely interested.
Anyone who does any type of competitive sport, that involves training with the same people day in and day out will know, training just is not the same when either: Friends/training partners/team mates are missing. Or even worse: When they are compeiting without you being present, you just want to be there to support them.

3pm - Trainings over. Sensei Terrys phone rings.

ANDREW MILLS WON BOTH KATA AND KUMITE!!!

I am buzzing, Zachary is buzzing, Sensei Terry is so proud. It couldn't have happened to a more dedicated student:)
Well Done Andrew, you did yourself and the club proud.

I then call Aiden who is training with our long time friends, The Junior English Squad in the Liverpool Red Triangle and he is estatic too :)
Aidan has broken his thumb, when it got caught in his karate suit when performing a kata..... Yes really....awkward.

Andrew is now safely home, leaving that event behind and preparing for the next event. Just how it should be.

Yasmin Geddis
3rd Dan