THE BATTLE WAS WON BUT THE WAR STILL WAGES ON

John Shewell, Silvia Elia, Andy Bellamy, me

After three months of hard training here at the Brighton Girevoy Sport Club for our first EGSA Long Cycle competion in Kilkenny, Ireland the day finally came. Myself, Andy, John and Silvia jumped on our flight in the early hours of Friday morning and headed off to the Emerald Isle.

Saturday morning came around quickly and before we knew it we were at the University sports hall being weighed in for our first long cycle comp. The suspence was killing me after the two weeks of cutting weight I ended up missing out by .3kg. BALLS!!!!!

Never mind I thought nothing I can do about it now so I just settled down and got ready to compete. 

Silvia was up first and even with massive tension in her shoulders managed 126 reps with the 12kb bell. (This result ended with her gaining a silver medal in her weight division for the coefficient. Bell weight x reps /body weight). She did a great job and has the determiation and ability to go so much further and I'm sure she will compete in London with the 16kg.

Next up was Andy, and after a great start he was off and running. Watching his form and technique I was confident he would go the distance as he did the previous Friday in training. Unfortunately for him, he had the tail end of a chest infection and this halted him in his tracks at 8 mins and 43 reps.......next time mate, next time!!!! Your mind set and technique will take you far in this sport.

Third to jump in the platform was Aussie John. He was fired up and ready to go, especially after seeing others in his division compete.

He started strong (if not a bit quick) but kept his nerve for the full ten mins. Great, great effort finishing with 72 reps. A personal best by 11 reps. This guy has been bitten by the GS comp bug and will be fired up for the next comp in May. He's a bit crazy I think!!!! ;-) 

Silvia (12 KG Coefficient Silver medal - Big Andy B - Aussie John

Next it was down to me as coach and founder of the club to man up and perform. I stepped up for the last wave of the comp. I was not as nervous as I thought I'd be, my wife had been texting me support and this only made me focus more and dig deep.

The set went well and I finished with a total of 63 reps. A personal best and with that result I gained bronze medal position for absolute weight lifted in the 24kg bell division. I was so surprised when my name was called and I was not expecting the Bronze medal. I then managed to get another PR in the speed snatch comp with 85 reps with the 24 kg bell. Again I was well chuffed:-D . 

For results of this weekend cometition cliick here: 

EGSA was very well represented by head coach Gregor Sobocan (MS), Ivana Britvec (MS), Kat Helcmanovska (WCMS), Mark Stapleton (CMS), Eddie Sheehan (CMS) Nenad Gorički, and myself. This was a great turnout and will only help strengthen the newly formed organization.

A massive thank you goes out to Eddie, Mark and Martina of Kilkenny Kettlebell Club for organising such a brilliant competition with 70 competitors coming from 10 countries. Evry athlete that competed did themselves proud and if this is any indication of the strength of this new sport then we have a great deal to look forward to and Europe will become a force to be reckoned with in no time at all.

Here's looking forward to the Biathlon comp in London on May 28 at Trojan Lifting Club. 

STAY STRONG AND KEEP LIFTING

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