Wednesday 18th July 2007
I arrived in the sweltering heat on Sunday midday, and the only time it gets any cooler is at 3am in the morning. I am in Algeria, Algiers for the 9th All Africa Games. The Taekwondo, kickboxing, sailing and table tennis teams are all staying at the same village outside of Algiers. There must be roughly 2000 athletes at this village, so it is quite a mix of all the other African countries.
On my arrival, I hooked up with the doctor and physios on the medical team and booked myself in for some treatment and got settled into my accommodation. Monday morning I went along with the kickboxers to go and support them. They came home with three medals which was great. Just after lunch the rest of the SA taekwondo team arrived. It was good to see the whole team again.
So the last two or three days has been pretty chilled really. we get up at 6.30 to train from 7 till 8.30am, eat and shower and then retire to our rooms and out of the heat till lunch at 12.30pm. After lunch its back to our rooms or physio or whatever until we head for training again fro, 7 till 8.30pm. we get back, eat, shower, see the physio or doctor for a check up and then head to bed. So really our days have been laid back.
Tomorrow the 19th, the taekwondo competition starts. I fight on the 20th and am feeling confident. I have been in a very positive state since Ive been here, and look forward to getting out there. I know the fights are going to be tough, fighting in Africa is always so much more physical than fighting in Europe. If you can punch or kick harder and can take the knocks you have a far better chance. So yes, I am going out to do battle and retain the gold medal and title I have held for the last eight years.
So Africa, bring it on! Lets see what you can give!
George S. Patton
"Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory!"
Comments