WTKA World Championships Marina Di Carrara-Italy 2007, 2009, 2010.

I had the opportunity to visit Marina Di Carrara for the WTKA World Championships three times, in 2007, 2009 and 2010. Each championship spanned over 5 days with about 7 thousand competitors from 71 countries, competing in 5 different halls filled to the brim with competitors from different martial art styles. This is how I would describe the sporting event each year. During my trips I won 4 gold medals and one bronze medal.

Fights took place from morning to night. In addition to the record number of competitors, the amount of spectators was immense - over five thousand people came to watch over the five days. In addition to karate, there were fights in various disciplines (taekwondo, kung fu, judo, MMA, boxing), as well as an oriental culture show. For a person like me, who is passionate about martial arts, such a trip is like hitting the jackpot. After my categories in karate I could watch interesting fights in the other types of combat.

This blog gives me the opportunity to thank my dear friend Tomasz Byjos (someone who is in charge of WTKA in Poland) for the opportunity to compete in these WTKA championships. I would also like to thank all of my teammates that competed. Without their dedication and commitment, winning fights and medals would be impossible.

2007 (2 x gold medal, 2 x silver medal)

Jacek Lipiński karate category - point kumite seniors + 80 kg gold medal 
The podium was as follows: 
1.JACEK LIPINSKI(POLAND) 
2.TONI BOSMEVSKI(MACEDONIA) 
3.HIROKI SAKATA(JAPAN)
Konrad Kozubski karate category - point kumite seniors - 80 kg gold medal 
Jarosław Borowski kickboxing light contact - 91 kg silver medal
Jacek Florkiewicz kickboxing full contact up to - 81 kg silver medal

2009 (7 x gold medal, 9 x silver medal, 2 x bronze medal)

Gold medalists:
Kamil Dreczkowski (Kata - individual males 8-12 years old) 
Kamil Dreczkowski (Kumite shobu Sanbon-males 10-12 years old) 
Kamil Dreczkowski, Kieran Macmanamon, Mikolaj Raton (Point karate team males 10-12 years old) 
Lipinska Tamara (Point karate individual females 8-12 years) 
Lipinska Tamara (Kumite shobu sanbon females 10-12 years) 
Jacek Lipinski (Kumite shobu ippon individual seniors + 70 Kg)
My podium was as follows:                                  
1.JACEK LIPINSKI(POLAND)
2.HAZIRI DURIM(KOSOVO)
3.TUZINSKY LUKAS(SLOVAKIA)
Jacek Lipinski (Point karate Individual seniors + 80 kg)
My podium was as follows: 
1.JACEK LIPINSKI(POLAND) 
2.CINA’ ALESSANDRO(ITALY) 
3.FONTANA ALESSANDRO(ITALY)
Silver medalists:
Zofia Frooms (Kata Individual females 8-12 years) 
Zofia Frooms (Kumite shobu sanbon individual 10-12 years) 
Zofia Frooms, Karolina Raton, Tamara Lipinska (Kumite shobu sanbon team females 10-12 years) 
Kieran Macmanamon (Point Karate individual males 10-12 years) 
Heimanowski Kamil (Kumite shobu sanbon individual juniors 16-18 -75 kg) 
Kamil Heimanowski (Point Karate individual juniors 16-18 years -75 kg 
Dawid Marciniak (kickboxing Light contact kickboxing Juniors +91 kg) 
Marcin Czajkowski (Point karate individual Cadets 13-15 years -75 kg) 
Marcin Czajkowski (Kumite shobu sanbon individual 13-15 years -75kg )
Bronze medalists: 
Karolina Raton (Kumite shobu sanbon individual cadets female 13-15 years -51 kg 
Jacek Lipinski (Kumite shobu sanbon individual seniors + 80 kg)
My podium was as follows: 
1.FUSCALDO MARCIO(BRAZIL)
2.CACCIALANZA FRANCESCO(ITALY)
3.JACEK LIPINSKI(POLAND)

2010 (1 x gold medal, 2 x silver medal, 1 x bronze medal)

Gold medal: 
Jacek Lipinski (Point karate Individual seniors + 80 kg) 
Silver medal: 
Zofia Frooms (Kumite shobu sanbon individual 10-12 years) 
Kamil Hejmanowski (seniors kickboxing -75 kg, light contact)  
Bronze medal:  
Dawid Marciniak (kickboxing Light contact kickboxing seniors +91 kg)

The end of October allowed both for swimming in the sea, as well as for sightseeing in beautiful sunny weather. During the three times I participated in WTKA World Championships I had the opportunity to visit;

Florence is the capital of Tuscany. It enchants with its picturesque and unusual monuments that delight even the most outstanding art experts. There is probably no other place in the world where a similar abundance of beautiful painting and architectural works could be found.

I don't have to write too much about the leaning tower of Pisa, because everyone has seen it on a guide's cover, on a calendar or on a computer wallpaper. This place has always been impressive and the city itself is very charming. Pisa is known to everyone from the famous Leaning Tower, under which tourists love to photograph themselves (the most popular is "outside" for a photo, people look like they’re  supporting the tower so that it does not fall). Sometimes it looks really comical! 

The Leaning Tower is the bell tower of the adjacent Cathedral - Duomo and was made of snow-white marble.

On one side, Marina di Carrara is surrounded by the Ligurian Sea and on the other side by magnificent Apuan Alps, with the famous quarries supplying marble, which was made famous primarily by Michelangelo, who used it to create his sculptures. The Marble Caves of Carrara are magnificent. You can explore the surface as well as visiting the underground quarry. Also the local cathedral is cladded in marble. In the same square as the cathedral you can find the house where Michelangelo used to stay.

Italy is a country that has a lot to offer its visitors. Some tourists are attracted by the beautiful beaches, others by amazing mountains or the cultural heritage. Something else attracts visitors to Italy. The amazing cuisine that has conquered the hearts of millions of people around the world. In addition to the popular pizzas and lasagnas or seafood, it is worth trying:
Bistecca alla fiorentina is a steak made of veal or heifer.  It is a high cut including the bone, to be cooked on the embers or on the grill, with a degree of "blood". 
Ribollita is a soup with beans, cabbage and bread. Thick and very filling.
Pecorino cheese called Cacio 
Tuscany - in addition to excellent wines and meats, can boast about the production of phenomenal cheeses.