Jakob has completed an exceptional week of training, continuing to show commitment, discipline, and consistency across both karate and football, alongside regular home drills and full dojo attendance.
On Saturday the 17th, the day was dedicated entirely to elite level karate training in Harrogate. This involved a four-hour drive each way and four hours on the mat a demanding 420-mile round trip that reflects the level of commitment required at this stage of development. The day included a two hour kata session led by Matt Price Sensei, JKS England Squad Head Coach, during which Jakob officially secured his place on the JKS England Squad for the 2026 season.
The session focused heavily on technical detail, with particular emphasis on speed, efficiency, and transitions. Jakob performed Kakuyoku Nidan, a challenging Koten kata he has been studying for over nine months, continuing to show strong progression and understanding.
A high-intensity kumite session followed, bringing energy and pace to the day. Kumite remains an area Jakob greatly enjoys, and his enthusiasm, adaptability, and engagement were clear throughout the drills.
On Sunday the 18th, Jakob began the day with a full football match before returning to the dojo later in the afternoon to train and support others during the CDMA Squad Selection Day. The session included expert led instruction grounded in competition experience, followed by a high-energy kata class focused on refinement and performance detail.
Overall, the week highlights the professionalism, work ethic, and dedication Jakob brings to his ongoing development. Attention now turns to competition on Sunday the 25th in Harlow, where Jakob will return to the mat to gain valuable competitive experience as preparation continues for an exciting upcoming international weekend in Brazil.
Supporting the Journey
As Jakob continues to progress, support from the wider community plays an important role. Please help spread the word by sharing the link below. If you haven’t already, any donation big or small directly supports training, travel, and competition opportunities and helps make experiences like this possible.
🔗 GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/0b0f32713
Thank you to everyone who has supported, shared, and donated so far. Your support genuinely helps drive Jakob’s journey forward.