“There are a couple of disciplinary sports, in which you not only compare yourself to your opponents but to your own greatest weaknesses. Karate is one of those disciplinary sports.”
During the WUKF 10th European Karate Champions I had the opportunity to take on 3 roles: competitor, coach and SofM official. My preparation for this competition began in August when I was on vacation in Cuba with my friends and family. This included: running, swimming, gym training sessions and of course karate. We trained in the NCA dojo in Havana.
Upon returning home normal preparation resumed, training 6x a week, sometimes twice a day. The day came for our departure to Malta, early morning I met my team at the airport. I find enjoyment in these moments as everyone is excited for the new experiences we’re about to encounter, as a team. Malta decided to welcome us with a little rain. Gladly, this rain only lasted for a few hours and the rest of our stay was filled with sunshine. After a few leisurely hours at the hotel and technical check-in we searched for a place to train. On our first evening, we trained by the sea, hearing the waves crashing into the rocks and feeling a warm breeze.
The next day included two training sessions, morning and evening. During the day there was time for leisurely activities and time for exploring the city. The evening was concluded with a motivational speech for the competitors that were competing the next day.
On the day of the competition, we briefed our competitors about the team rules, the group divisions and everyone’s responsibilities. We checked if they had the correct equipment before boarding our transfer bus, which would take us to the venue. At the destination we were greeted with a huge sports hall. We decided to separate the team into 3 groups. The first group was responsible for preparing for their competition and categories (this was made up of the competitors that were competing that day). The second group was responsible for completing a training session (this was made up of the competitors that were competing in the upcoming days). The third group was responsible for keeping up to date with the information provided by the organisers (hour of start, tatami of start), taking photographs and videos (this was made up of parents). We were a united team, everyone was responsible for something which made the competition much easier.
During the 4 day WUKF European Karate Championships our 12 competitors won 10 medals; 4 silver and 6 bronze. This was great achievement for the team as in the previous World Karate Championships our team had only won 4 medals. Overall, there were 1200 competitors from 20 countries.
The competition was carried out on 10 tatami’s without any delay. Each competitor was aware of their starting times meaning they could warm up properly before their category. The first day of the competition was for the oldest and most experienced competitors, who always put on a show. I got second place in my individual kumite category. I lost in the final in a very controversial way. Ten seconds into the fight the referee’s decided to disqualify me for a broken regulation, I was wearing shin protection. In my opinion, the referee should’ve checked this before the fight and should’ve given a reminder. If this had happened I would’ve had the opportunity to take it off. I tried to explain to the referee that I had been taking part in both individual and team kumite at the same time. One fight finished in individual and another had started in team. I was constantly running back and forth from the tatami’s. In the team category I could wear the shin protection. In my individual category, I could not. I regard this situation as bad luck and an oversight on my behalf. Well, this is sport. In team kumite we got to the final, defeating 3 other teams along the way. The squad was made of myself, Wieslaw Krasowski and Piotr Sznicer. Due to the injury Wieslaw suffered, the referee did not allow us to fight for the gold medal position against the Czech team. We were automatically given second place. Piotr and Wieslaw both won bronze medals in their individual kumite categories. Ewa Lipinska was the next silver medallist of our team, winning second place in individual kumite. In the same category Malgorzata Wozniak earned a bronze medal. We were almost spectators of Ewa and Gosia fighting against each other in the final, if only luck was by our side. Oliver Bylinski, one of our youngest competitors, won a bronze medal in individual kumite and a silver medal in kata. Julian Dyrga won a bronze medal in kata. Both Oliver and Julian wore their medal around their necks with pride, showing them off to their teammates. Tamara Lipinska won a bronze medal in individual junior kumite, which was jam-packed with competitors. The other competitors, which hadn’t managed to secure a medal position, had won the gift of experience, something that cannot be taught or brought. 
One of the benefits of exploring a small island, is that everything is at arms reach. Beautiful beaches, the electric nightlife and silent bays are all walking distance apart. It’s truly a magnificent island that is 27km in length and 14km in width. In every step you take you will be able to witness an array of either old architecture, churches, monasteries or forts.
An attribute of Malta is the weather, it is sunny almost everyday. No matter the time of year, there is always something to do.
The journey from one side of the island to the other should take no more than a hour. However, the traffic is bad as the Maltese people do not utilize the public transport, they much rather the comfort of their own cars.
Malta is a country made up of 3 main islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino with around 400,000 inhabitants. Malta can be compared to a big city, surrounded by the sea. The capital is Valetta, with around 7,000 inhabitants. The island is divided into many towns and villages. Gozo is less populated and less built-up. Instead of having numbers, the houses are named. Comino is a small island where you can’t find any cars. It is mainly known for its blue lagoon, which is the has the most turquoise water in Europe. It is an island that is a bird sanctuary and nature reserve. Only one family are permanent residents.
Valetta is the smallest capital city in the EU. It has over 300 UNESCO sites and as a result it has been named a World Heritage Site.Mdina – Mdnia is known as Malta’s ‘silent city’. It gives the best view of the city. Narrow, silent, medieval streets are the staple of this city. The silent and pleasant atmosphere is the result of the no vehicle zones.
Malta is a paradise for seafood connoisseurs. But everyone will be satisfied if they like Mediterranean food. There is a large influence from Arabic and Italian cultures. The easiest and cheapest food option is pizza. It is sold by pieces on street corners in bakeries.
To Oliver Bylinski
How did it feel when you won a bronze medal while being the one of the youngest competitors out there?
At the end of the ccompetition did you feel like you could of pushed harder and win a silver or gold medal?
To Oliver Bylinski
1.What do you think you did really well?
2.What where your thoughts about the competition?
To Oliver Bylinski
How do you feel being one of the youngest people on the competition?
Would you have showed off your medal more if it was silver or gold?
To Oliver Bylinski
Were you proud of yourself
Do you think you could have done something differently or better in some scenarios
To Jacek Lipinski from Jeremi
what was your favorite part of going there and back?
how much days before the competition did you practice?