Kata practice is where everything comes together. It is just me on the mat, working through every single movement, trying to make each one sharper than the last. There is no opponent to react to. No referee watching. Just me and the technique.
This photo was taken during one of my recent training sessions. I was running through my kata over and over again, focusing on my stances and my timing. Sometimes when I am in the middle of it I forget anyone else is even there.
The Focus Right Now
Honestly there has been a lot of attention on me at the dojo lately. Everyone knows the JKS World Championships in Brazil are coming up and I think people can see how hard I am working. It is a weird feeling. Good weird though. It pushes me to train even harder because I do not want to let anyone down.
My coaches have been brilliant. They keep reminding me that whatever happens in Brazil, the work I am putting in now matters. Every rep. Every correction. Every tired evening session. It all adds up.
What Kata Means to Me
I love kumite but there is something different about kata. It is quieter. More personal. You have to control everything yourself. Your breathing. Your balance. The speed of each movement. If something is off, you feel it straight away.
Right now I am trying to make everything cleaner and more powerful at the same time. That is harder than it sounds. Sometimes I finish a kata and think it was rubbish. Other times it clicks and I feel like I am really getting somewhere.
Whatever Happens We Keep Going
My dad keeps saying that whatever happens at the Worlds, everyone is already proud. That means a lot to me. But it also makes me want to go out there and show what all this work has been for. Not just for me but for everyone who has helped me get here.
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me on this journey. To Motion Mender for keeping my body in shape with recovery sessions. To my family for everything they do. And to everyone at the dojo who believes in me.
If you want to help me get to Brazil, please consider donating to my GoFundMe. Every bit helps and I am so grateful for any support. You can donate here: gofundme.com/f/support-young-karateka-jakob-de-brum
Follow my journey on TikTok: tiktok.com/@jakob.de.brum
