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ATA SA Worlds Team Competed at the 2015 ATA World Championships


Well, they trained, they cried, they shouted, they travelled 40 hours via Hong Kong to the USA, arrived in Little Rock, Arkansas, and they conquered! 
The full ATA SA Team at the ATA Headquarters in 
Little Rock Arkansas
ATA SA performed exceedingly well for a small federation (ATA SA compares to some clubs in member total, so I heard). There were about 20,000 participants and supporters from about 26 countries, and South Africa brought back 17 medals!
It was a difficult road to the Worlds 2015 for all. There were financial concerns (attending members had to fund themselves, and I must say, it brought out entrepreneurial skills in some), Visas had to be obtained, vehicles rented, rooms booked in hotels and inns, and then of course the administration issues had to be dealt with by ATA SA administrators, oh yes, in between it all, they had to train as well.










But in the end they arrived in Little Rock, acclimatised, (the team travelled from mid winter (15C avg to mid summer 35C avg), trained with the Grand Master and were true ambassadors of South Africa.  It was the first time ever that the participants represented ATA SA as a team and a National Team at that!

Then they participated in the World Championships, after all, that is why they went to Little Rock in the first place!
The results at the end of the weekend were:
In the Top 10 Competition (Black Belts), no one placed.
Some of the Medals

 At the Family Festival, South Africa brought back 6 Gold Medals, 4 Silver Medals and 7 Bronze Medals, there were some try outs for 3 rd place and our members came 4th. (Unfortunately there were some injuries as well).

All-in-all it was a successful tour for the ATA SA National Team. It is not all about the Medals and Placings, it is also about the camaraderie between the participants.The team members made great friends and FaceBook is abuzz with friendship requests, congratulating each other and just catching up. 
As Ruan Verwey put it during the interview "We face each other on the floor as opponents, but we walk off as friends".  

The team members also experienced a different level of competition, a different level of training and a different way of participation that they were not always prepared for. But they brought back the experience and lessons learnt at the Arkansas Convention Centre. Vital experience for the rest of ATA SA. Experience that can take ATA SA to a higher level.
Some ATA SA National Team Members arriving at
OR Tambo Airport






Welcome Back to the ATA SA National Team, you have done South Africa proud!

 Disclaimer: These are my own impressions and ideas and in no way constitutes an official press release by ATA SA.
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