𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 – 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟮 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 & 𝗛𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆

After a well-earned sleep-in this morning, the team enjoyed a relaxed breakfast before setting off for the stunning Malmo Arena – not only the venue for this year’s World Karate Championships, but also a two-time host of Eurovision! A short, scenic walk took us there, where we quickly sorted the necessary admin and got all weight and height checks completed without fuss.

This also gave the squad their first proper look at the competition space – and what a venue it is! Professionally set up with 12 tatami areas and full arena-style seating, it really brings home the scale of the event. While we’ve done our best to prepare everyone, especially our first-timers, nothing quite compares to stepping into such a grand setting – a few extra nerves definitely crept in!

Following the coaches’ meeting and a short familiarisation training session, we enjoyed some lunch and then got ready for the opening ceremony. With 33 countries and nearly 4,000 competitors taking part, it was a fantastic and emotional start to the week, full of colour, energy, and pride.

An early dinner and a quiet evening now as we rest up for the start of competition tomorrow. First on the tatami will be our veterans and cadet kata athletes – good luck team!