On 5 February I arrived in Poland with the rest of the Irish karate team for the 2025 Cadet, Junior & U21 European Championships. We had been awake since the crack of dawn, and after landing in Kraków, we took a 90-minute bus ride to our hotel. Despite the exhaustion, spirits were high, and everyone was excited for the weekend ahead. Once settled in our rooms, we quickly grabbed a bite to eat before our first training session at 4 pm. Since we didn’t want to overeat, we kept it light, then got ready and headed to the arena by taxi. Training was focused but not too intense, ensuring we conserved energy for competition day. Afterward, we returned to the hotel, showered, ate dinner, and had an early night in preparation for the next morning's training and weigh-ins.
The next morning, we trained lightly at 10.00 am before heading straight to registration and weigh-ins. As we drove, we admired the picturesque snowy landscape outside. Stepping out of the taxi, we heard the crunch of snow beneath our feet before heading inside. After waiting nearly an hour, we were weighed in—thankfully, everyone made the correct weight. The rest of the day was relaxed as we awaited the timetable and draw. That evening at 8.30 pm, we gathered in reception to meet with our coaches, who updated us on rule changes and key competition details. Then, it was time for bed—we had to be at the stadium early the next morning to support our kata competitors.
On competition day, our first competitor, Calvin, won a bronze medal—Ireland’s only medal of the tournament. That night, I went to bed early, knowing I would be competing the next morning. By 9.45 am, I was in the stadium, despite not fighting until 11.30 am. I prefer arriving at least two hours early to support my teammates and prepare. After warming up, I waited anxiously for my category to be called. When it was finally my turn, I stepped onto the tatami, knowing my opponent was the current World Champion. I fought hard but didn’t win, and I felt I hadn’t performed at my best. However, because she reached the final, I got another chance in the repechage later that evening.
After resting and refueling, I returned to the warm-up area at 4.30 pm to prepare. Although there was a delay, I was the first match when my category was finally called at 6.30 pm. My first fight was against a competitor from Montenegro, and having watched her earlier, I knew her style. I managed to win and was now one fight away from a medal match. My next opponent was a skilled Turkish fighter I had seen at past competitions. Before stepping onto the tatami, I took three deep breaths to steady myself. Unfortunately, a mistake on my part cost me the match. While I’m not fully satisfied with my result, I gained valuable experience competing against top-class fighters. This was my first tournament as a Junior (U18), and while I know I can do better, I also know that my time will come.
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