End of Ramadan and Goodbye Australia

Safety first. Don't you just love our helmets! Riding the Swan River in Perth.

Day in Sydney. Bahri passing by the Opera House

Everyone has to hold a Koala before they leave Australia!

And last but not least. My family at dinner one evening (sadly minus my older sister)

Today is the end of ramadan and a time for celebration. To all "iyi bayramlar" Happy Feast! For me, instead of it being an enjoyable day I was actually sadened by Bahri heading back to Turkey for his training. We had a wonderful time in Australia visiting various places in Melbourne, Perth and finally a day in Sydney to conclude. Melbourne was good because Bahri was able to see my life day to day and Perth was enjoyable because he got to see my family, where I grew up and my taekwondo clubs (plus I think Perth is the best place). My sister is actually ill at the moment so it was stressful at times but I was at ease knowing I was there for her and that my love was there for me too. In Sydney we caught up with old friends, made some new ones..and visited Opera House all in the day. We stayed with Carly who warmly welcomed us to her home. Erica Parcio's 30th Birthday was on that evening so we were lucky to have the chance to celebrate it with her. So much has happened personally in such a short time its impossible to explain it all. I'm thankful to have spent the last weeks with my dearest but as I said extremely sad he has gone. There are two years to go until the Olympics and one till qualifiers so its all steam ahead with training and comps from here on in. I hope I can build upon my success at the World Cup, perform consistently and continue carving my name into the record books. Korea comes this Friday and we have a training camp in Canberra in a few weeks.

Ramazan

Turkish "Icecream" Man giving me lessons on how to make the perfect icecream.
Bahri and I together:)
At Sand City in Antalya. I am next to Ataturk who is like the father of modern Turkey.

Had an awsome time in Turkey with Bahri and his family. Ramadan started whilst I was there and I loved the atmosphere and kindness that filled the country. During the day everything was pretty quiet. Most people would sleep until late morning and then as soon as the sun set massive feasts with family and friends would begin. Around the corner from our place there was a festival every night. The street was lined with food stalls, markets, rides for the children and a stage with different shows each evening. One I captured on camera is a famous old prayer ritual from Konya. The music in it is so soothing and relaxing.

Ramadan, its such an amazing time! It is often easy to take for granted simple things such as food, water and shelter -- but when your face to face with those less fortunate, you appreciate and cherish life a whole lot more. We visited a village in Antalya to help some of these people out. The first encounter we had was with an old man riding a bicycle (he must have been 70-80). Initially we asked him for directions, of which he was unable able to help us, and upon leaving anne handed him a box of food - containing rice, oils, olives, flour, salt etc (basical essentials). He was not overly excited on the outside, but I could tell by his gestures that he was indeed a happy man within. Ten minutes later and only 100metres away from him (still lost) I looked back to the old man and noticed he was still trying to work out how to attach the food box to his bike and go home safely. I'm not sure what the result was but my heart pounds everytime I think of him. The Mayor of the village accompanied us and directed us to various families/individuals in the area. It was a fantastic opportunity to take photographs here, the shots would have been breathe-taking and heart stoppping.... however, I couldn't bring myself to take one photo.......Fasting and Ramadan..... not only opens your heart and eyes but it truely does add dimensions to your character.

I'm now back in Australia and back into training. The Korea National Team is coming to Australia for a few weeks training in lead up to their Asian Games. It will be good to have some more friendly competition and to finally welcome them to our country.

Bahri is also in Australia tomorrow and .......Im so excited:) Yipeeeeee!

Cup Conclusion

THE Australian Team finished with 1 gold medal and two silver medals in the Individual events and progressed through to the final 8 team championships. Ryan Carneli (silver: bantam weight) fought 5 matches and was probably the most amazing fighter of the day, if not the whole competition, having knocked out Iran in the semi finals. Kylie Treadwell also had an awsome day winning 3 matches: Croatia, Greece and Netherlands. Both Ryan and Kylie unfortunately lost to Spain in the finals but they fought with true aussie spirit right until the buzzer.

IN the team events the girls went down fighting against Turkey 3-2 and consequently finished 6th overall. Whereas the boys overcame the home country and their loud cheer squad first round, but lost to Iran 4-1 in the semis and then France 5-0 for the bronze medal. The boys team thus finished a proud 4th.

The day after comp Amy, Dounia and I joined the Turkish team on their trip to Thailand temples and the famous Aquariam. In addition, this was the day the President of Thailand was overtaken. I'm not sure if that was the right word but political issues are now occuring in the country....:S

Currently I am in Turkey with Bahri having a break. Yesterday we enjoyed a picnic by the beach and had dinner with friends. I love the food here!!! ...Actually I think I just love food regadless of where I am!

WORLD CUP CHAMPION!

:) After 4 fights I am now a WORLD CUP CHAMPION! Alhumdulliah!

1) Chinese Taipei (2-0) or (1 - (-1))
2) Italy (5-2
3) Korea (2-1)
4) Turkey (2-1)

I don't know if it has sunk in yet, but I'm sure by the last day here it will! There is so much to say, but i really need sleep its been a long two days so far and there are still a few more to go! Im just so happy to have won gold a this world cup and happy to be the first Australian to do so:) Onwards and Upwards to Beijing!.

Would like to thank my coach, Daniel Trenton for being so demanding and supportive the last few months. Also thanks to Taekwondo Australia, the Australian Sports Commission, The Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS), Tony Hewitt and JOLS for their continual support.

THAILAND

Guess who?????? (NO ITS NOT ME!)

"Sawasdikar" Hello!

Safwan and Peter at Opening Cermony!

We are back in Thailand again, and its been very hard to get net access. But finally have made it with only a few minutes to spare!!

It has rained everyday we have been here and four of us were once stranded in a taxi because the engine was pretty much under water....it wasnt a good day to be late for training and the coaches got a little angry... but it really couldnt be helped, unless we walked home in the flood with our training supplies.

Once again Im loving the food~!!! Im overdosing myself on bananas here so that I dont have to buy any in Australia. It is the Kings Birthday in Thailand ...so everyone in the street are wearing yellow tshirts (must be his favourite colour)...to us they all look like referees !;) I have never seen a country love there King so much as Thailand do! Its amazing!

After 5 months I have finally met up with my love:):) It's so great to see him here and he has made me more focused, relaxed +ready to fight.ohhhhh my askimmmmmm! The sweetest thing was when we first met and he bought me a loved heart shaped pillow with our faces on it:) To me it is heaps romantic....but the Aussie team boys called him a "biscuit"....he's just....so sweeeeet!:)

I have uploaded a few photos...because I have had a couple requests:) Hope you all enjoy and please cheer loud for us because we can feel the power from over here! Aussie Aussie Aussie!!!

Day 3 Results

Fought well today, but fell against the gold medallist 6-4 from Korea. Im not one to analyze my fight online so i wont, but I am definately looking forward to world cup which is my main target.
Kristy went down first fight in round 2 to Canada 12-6 (Thats on the news rules..first to twelve and the match ends) They had the new rules at this comp however chose to stick with only three referees.

Tomorrow is Amy Ruth and Dounia

Amy vs Canada
Dounia vs Kuwait
Ruth vs Taipei

2 Day Competition

No aussies are fighting today however Kristy and I did weigh in for our comp tomorrow. I weighed in at 62.9 this time for under 67 Olympic division. Kris and I are both on opposite sides of the draw so if all goes well we will meet in the final. For our first fights,I have got Korea and Kristy has Canada.

As the Koreans keep telling me "Te-Hamingoo" (not sure on spelling) but it means "fighting with power"or something like that. Its nice to know I have some Koreans cheering for me:) Wish me luck!

Korea Results DAY 1 = 1 Silver

1) Olympic Male Under 58kgs - SAFWAN SILVER

1st Place KOREA: YOU Young-dae
2nd Place AUSTRALIA: Safwan Khalil
3rd Place JAPAN : Min Ho Lee
3rd Place KAZAKHSTAN: Yestavletov Batyrbek

Safwan fought well all day. He beat:
China = 3-0
Brazil = 4-1
Japan = 3-1
Lost to Korea in the final: 3-0

2) Ryan Carneli also fought the same Korea guy first fight but unfortunately went down 9-2 in the third round.
3) Burak Hassan fought WTF light weight today. He was on top of his Syrian opponent for the first two rounds, however found it hard to find momentum in the third and lost his match 10-8.