Singapore IKSFA Kettlebell Elite Training Camp - 12th - 13th Feb 2012
7 days before, I had back spasms and found out I had inflammed ligament at L3. It caused excruciating pain whenever I did a jerk and when the bell dropped into the rack. I was angry, furious and upset. To top it off, I had a cold, sore throat and fever. As a trainer I would recommend someone in this condition not to compete/train. Its good advice right? ................ But, there's no way I'm not competing in this history-making championship in Singapore. Sergei Merkulin kept telling me I need to take it easy, pace myself and watch my breathing.
Yes. So I did it. (Not the pacing part but the competing part against my own advice.) My aim was 98 reps of the Long Cycle on 16kg to achieve Rank 1(I did 96 before during training, never 98) but I ended up with 78 reps and Rank 2. The first rep was so painful, the second was horrible, the third loosen me up abit and I went on to complete 40 reps on the injured side. And 38 on the non injured side! Adrenalin really does wonders.(You can see on video how much grimacing the first 5 reps brought me and at the 5th minute, I had nothing left and was even coughing!)
I ended up getting the best female lifter for long cycle and overall best female lifter. 2 trophies. I'm proud of the achievements but I wished I wasn't injured or sick. I have seen myself done better. I am very proud of my sister/good friend/client(we crossed this line long time ago) Jennifer tan. Her hardwork paid off when they praised her techniques.
The IKSFA Training Camp Level 1 came after the competition. I have never met such passionate and dedicated coaches. They just keep teaching and teaching and teaching and they sometimes forget to give us breaks.If they could teach us 20 years worth of knowledge there and then they probably would have.
Another thing that nags at me is this; How can they, world champions, be so humble? I really want to know. They are so down to earth, ready to share knowledge and tips, and always ready to teach and they were not once annoyed at the fact that it was very difficult to communicate with us. There's absolutely no air of arrogance in them. I always know the difference when someone teaches from the heart and when someone teaches because of the money. They teach from their heart, mind and soul.
I will miss them. No more "Hayadi!" No more funny jokes and animated moves. No more ""Rras Dva Thres Shytri". I wish I can go to St Petersburg and breathe the air they breathe, live the way they live and find out what makes them who they are. They did not only teach me kettlebells, they taught me a lot more than that. Humility.
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