Solo kata practice is where I learn the most about myself. When there is no one watching and no one telling me what to fix, I have to be honest about what I see. These sessions are tough in a different way. Not physically exhausting like sparring but mentally demanding because I have to be my own coach.
I set up my phone to record myself and then I just go. Run through my kata. Watch it back. Look for the things that are not quite right. The stance that is a bit too narrow. The hand that drops a fraction too early. The hip rotation that could be sharper. Little things that judges notice. Little things that separate good from great.
Why I Film Everything
When you are performing kata it feels different from how it looks. I might think my zenkutsu dachi is really deep but then I watch the video and realise it could go lower. That is why filming is so important. The camera does not lie.
It is not always easy to watch yourself. Sometimes I cringe. Sometimes I think I am doing better than I actually am. But that is the whole point. If I want to represent England at the JKS World Championships in Brazil I need to be brutally honest about where I am right now.
The Work Nobody Sees
People see the competitions. They see the medals and the travel. But they do not see these quiet sessions in the sports hall. Just me and the floor and the sound of my feet. Working on the same movement over and over until it feels right. Until it looks right on camera.
These are the sessions that actually build a karateka. Not the flashy stuff. The repetition. The attention to detail. The willingness to watch yourself fail and then try again.
I am 13. I know I have so much more to learn. But I also know that if I keep putting in this kind of work, keep filming, keep analysing, keep adjusting, I will get where I want to be.
Help Me Get to Brazil
Every bit of support means so much. If you want to help me get to the JKS World Championships in Brazil you can donate to my GoFundMe at gofundme.com/f/support-young-karateka-jakob-de-brum. Even sharing it helps massively.
Follow my journey on TikTok at tiktok.com/@jakob.de.brum where I post training clips and updates. Thank you for being part of this.
