By Oliver V. Baggersted, Member until 2015

As I was lying with a fever of 39 during the first part of the event, I unfortunately cannot comment on that, although I would have very much liked to have attended the ryugi training, which I was told about. But even though I had been away for the first part and the other participants had received some training, I could console myself with the fact that I was far from the only one who had difficulty following along or remembering the damn order of the techniques.

When we started out, my thoughts were a big mess, I had practiced the technique a little bit, but obviously not enough at all that I felt I could keep up. Actually, the technique was "easy", or maybe that's the wrong word, simple might be used. It was exactly the same principles as normal training, so technically we should be pretty good at it. I don't know about others, but something happens to my base when I hold the kotachi, it's like it all falls apart and I have to build it back up. Perhaps it is because you become more aware of your base when you have a tool that makes it so incredibly clear who has the center and how difficult it really is to hold. One thing we all quickly learned was that you got incredibly close in some techniques. And I also felt how close you ended up in kumite, unfortunately I have to admit that I did not feel safe at any time during the kumite we performed. Unfortunately, I'm not as clear on where my comfort zone is as I thought.

Slowly and steadily I finally got the order of the techniques, which was a great relief for me, because then I could start to focus more on the execution, not because I think it got much better because of that, but you can always hope there is some progress.

Now of course I only speak for myself, but I think many will agree that after the first hour, it became incredibly demanding to stay focused, not because it was boring in any way, but it was so demanding , that it was difficult to stay focused.

All in all, it was, as usual, a really good course!, which has given plenty of food for thought.