Training sessions are something else entirely. Watching Jakob on that mat today, yellow squad shirt on his back, sprinting across the dojo floor… it hits different when you know what goes into earning the right to wear that shirt.

This isnt just kata practice. This is the hard graft that nobody sees on competition day. Sprint drills to get the heart rate absolutely flying. Footwork that needs to be second nature when you are facing someone across the mat in Brazil.

The Work Behind the Shirt

That JKS England Squad shirt represents years of early mornings and long drives and moments where giving up would have been easier. But here he is at 13, a 2nd Dan Black Belt, pushing his body to compete at world level.

The dojo was warm today. You could see the effort in every stride. But thats the thing about training for the JKS World Championships. Comfortable doesnt cut it. You have to be uncomfortable now so you are ready when it matters.

I stood there watching him run those sprints and thought about all the families doing this same thing up and down the country. The sacrifices. The petrol money. The evenings given up. Its a proper commitment from everyone.

The Road to Brazil Continues

Every session like this brings Jakob one step closer to representing England at the World Championships. The fitness work, the conditioning, the mental toughness being built with every sprint… its all part of the bigger picture.

Massive thanks to Motion Mender for keeping Jakob’s body in shape through all this training. Thanks to Pink Coco London for the ongoing support and to PartMax for believing in this journey.

If you want to help Jakob get to Brazil and compete on the world stage, please consider supporting his GoFundMe at gofund.me/jakobdebrum. Every contribution makes a real difference to this family journey.

Follow the journey on TikTok at @jakob.de.brum and subscribe to our YouTube channel at JDB Sports to see more behind the scenes content. Drop a comment and let us know you are with us.

For a full guide, see Medicine Ball Slams Build Explosive Power for Karate.

For a full guide, see Youth Karate Strength Training Hurricane Warm Up Drill.