WKF Structure

Karatekas find new challenges in Finals period

2016-07-18

Karatekas find new challenges in Finals period

For a great number of Karate athletes around the world, the onset of summer implies a double challenge: To get good results on the tatami, and to get good grades in finals.

For a great number of Karate athletes around the world, the onset of summer implies a double challenge: To get good results on the tatami, and to get good grades in finals. As thousands of youngsters face the dreaded time of the year of putting their future at stake in final exams, student karatekas fight to succeed both in dojos and in class.

“It was not so hard for me to combine my studies, training and competition, but this situation really need sacrifices, organisation and a lot of personal work at home,“ said European champion Alexandra Recchia.  

The 27 years old Karate Star is one of the many high-level competitors who balance their lives as first-class athlete and hopeful student. The French Karate idol, who reached the top of the podium of the Female Kumite -50kg competition in the 2016 EKF European Championships is studying to become a lawyer. After passing the written tests, she prepares for the oral exam in September ahead of the final results in October.

Train, study, repeat

Just as the bronze medallist in the 2014 World Championships does, Karate athletes around the world go through demanding but productive days in their intention of successfully combining their favourite sport and studies. Most of them go straight from class to dojos and back to class with little or no free time for themselves.

“I didn’t go out on weekends, I didn’t see my friends much; I would only go to training in the mornings and afternoons and after that, I came back home to work on my lesson and to catch up,” declared the two-time European gold medallist, who reckons that it is quite a challenge to achieve good results with books and wearing the karate-gi.



“In Bremen, during the 2014 World Championships, I learned that I was eligible to take the oral exam which would allow me to be accepted at law school. So when I came back home, I had no more than ten days to learn a huge program of fiscal law, criminal law, human rights .... I had to study 20 hours per day to integrate all this. I only made it thanks to Karate and motivation,” explained the world ranking leader in Female Kumite -50kg category.

In the hectic life of studies, training and competitions, first-class Karatekas end up getting a black belt in time management. Most of high class athletes aiming at getting a degree reckon that enthusiasm and a good organisation are the secret of their success. “It's all about organizing your time and knowing when to study and when to train. It is hard, but you have to have the faith that you can do it,” said World Champion Giana Lotfy.

The Egyptian Karate Star is studying pharmacy; while the day-to-day duties and commitments take more and more of her time during this time of the year, the winner of the 2016 Dubai and Sharm El Sheik Karate 1-Premier League tournaments admits that she keeps the same level of intensity in the dojo on Finals periods.

“I continue training hard as it relieves the stress that I get from so much studying,” declared the dominating Karateka in the Female Kumite -61 kg category.

Karate Star Alexandra Recchia agrees and declared that training “helps to let off steam and think of something else other than exams”.



“It is possible to train and compete but it is demanding; I always say that Karate helps me to stay focused during these long days,” said Recchia, one candidate to shine in the upcoming 2016 World Championships in Linz. 

Benefits of Karate for students

As challenging as Finals period may be for those Karatekas who wish to earn a degree,  and as hectic as the days may seem to them, student athletes always find the one thing that drives them to succeed with books: Karate.  “Karate is what I use when I need to concentrate. Probably the most important things you learn in our sport are control and concentration. You put this into practice everyday in trainings and in bouts, and it really works in your favour in exams”, said Giana Lotfy.

The positive impact of practising Karate during Finals period has a direct consequence in the performance during tests, top Karatekas claim. Karate training is so important in the quest to succeed in studies that first-class Karate athletes suggest that Karate enthusiast who are in the same situation should follow their example.

Karate heroine Alexandra Recchia has a message for Karate fans in Finals everywhere:

“I think it is possible for all of us to triumph. If you have a double project, like studying and Karate, you can do it but you have to make the choice: never give up and never forget! Good luck to all of you with your double project!”.