WJJF IRELAND CONGRESS MAY 23rd to 25th 2003

 

The theme for the weekend was Titanic.

On the Friday evening there was a traditional Irish Shindig        

at the Cultra Inn in the grounds of the Culloden Hotel .

With traditional food and dancing to a live band.

 

 

Saturday began with a hearty breakfast and off to the sports centre for the days training.

Senior students in the morning and juniors in the afternoon.  ( photos here )

During the break we were honoured to witness the last ever record breaking attempt by

Jean Yves-Mulot to break stacks of fiery concrete. He did it !!  ( photo here )

He has now retired from this event.

He also stood on sharp blades whilst carrying a pole with buckets of water on each end ( photo here )

then had men push swords into his throat. ( photo here )

All of these were achieved without any injury.

The training consisted of students being put into groups, by grade - belts - and the international instructors went around each group teaching various techniques based on the level of grades.

Instructors who attended the event came from:-

Belgium, France, Italy, Israel, Thailand, Australia, Germany, Japan, - so many countries , the list goes on and on.

( photos here )

Also there were president and members of the IBSSA - International Bodyguard and Security Services Association, who have protected many Hollywoods biggest stars including Michael Jackson along with Presidents and Royalty worldwide. The IBSSA is now part of the WJJF.

Professor Robert Clark is the IBSSA spokesman for the UK.

A Report has been produced on this event and can be viewed in PDF format here

The training was intensive and fun. Sensei Watson and Sensei McDonald trained together whilst Jacqui partnered up with another girl in her group.

all 3 had a great day and gained more knowledge to bring back to their home club.

After returning to the hotel a gentle swim and visit to the hotel's spa helped ease their tired bodies before the Titanic themed dinner that night.

That evening was an awards ceremony and dinner dance ( photos here )at which all 3 were presented with awards for services to ju-jitsu ( photos here ) after which a 5 course dinner was enjoyed.

Dancing the night away to The Untouchables - a band native to Belfast who always travel with the club for the congress every year no matter the country.

After checking out the hotel next morning it was onto the plane home and straight to the Time Capsule, Monklands

for Sensei Watson, McDonald and Jacqui to unload their new techniques on the rest of the club.

Proudly displaying their awards. ( photo here )