Wasserkuppe Seminar, Germany 2009
A large group of Irish Jiu-Jitsu Academy students from Waterford Jiu-Jitsu Club recently travelled to Wasserkuppe, Germany for the annual international training camp hosted by Kyoshi Jurgen Kippel (8th dan Jiu-Jitsu). The idyllic mountain location was enhanced for the Irish contingent by the heavy snow-fall which provided much entertainment for the junior students during the stay. Over the course of the weekend, the students trained under numerous of instructors from Germany, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, England and Ireland in various styles of jiu-jitsu and other martial arts. Renshi Hazel Farrell (Waterford) instructed at the camp.
The highlight of the weekend was probably when five of the junior students won various medals in the sports jiu-jitsu competition. The success of these students was particularly notable as none of them had ever competed before and they were fighting in Wasserkuppe against experienced students, some of whom hold German competition titles. Luke Woodward and Aaron Kelly from Kilkenny both won gold medals, while Tara Murphy from Waterford won silver, and James Mc Donald and Peter Karaphillides, also from Waterford, both won bronze medals. Their parents and instructors are very proud of this fantastic achievement.
Each year in Wasserkuppe, a different group is invited to perform a demonstration on the Saturday night of the camp, and this year Renshi Hazel Farrell was asked to fulfil this task. The demonstration team included both Irish instructors, Alan Walsh and Luke Woodward from Kilkenny, and Bogdon Chaus, Niall Roche and Tara Murphy from Waterford. The demonstration performance was very impressive and was received extremely well by the German audience.
Overall it was a very successful trip, despite practically the entire group being wiped out by a nasty flu on returning to Ireland. We all look forward to participating again next year and returning with even more medals.
See our photo gallery for photos of the event.
