CANBERRA - AIS

8 Athletes, including myself have travelled to the AIS in Canberra for a 10 day training camp. Whilst we are here we have the opportunity to become accustomed to the layout, procedures, resident village and of course the food court. Living at the AIS is enabling us to utilise our time better and get the best out of our sport and ourselves - which I think is an ideal way to improve.

So far we have done the following:
1) Introduction + Various other tours
2) Medical screenings
3) Strength/conditioning screenings
4) Plunge pool recovery session
5) Doctors
5) taekwondo sessions (We actually have a taekwondo room!)

The best thing is we have a great training hall with new matts to work on. Its an awsome feeling training somewhere thats clean, bright and in the same condition as an actual competition.!!!!! You can see from the photo, half of our gym. Its the only pic I have taken in three days of living here.

The hardest thing here has been setting up internet services but thanks to Dounia (The IT Queen) we now have access in our rooms. Not many of us have had the chance to venture outside because the daily schedule is so busy there isnt time to fit anything else in. But I am sure in time we will!...We must!

Despite our new facilities,..... the Rocky in us will never die!!!!!!

Friendly Competition against Korea

Myself and Eun Kyung

The Aussies had a friendly competition on Saturday with the Korean Team at the State Netball Hockey Centre in Melbourne. We had one fight each and mine was against Eun Kyung Jun who won the 59-63kg division in the World Cup this year - it was sort of a show down between us because we were both winners in different divisions (but the same Olympic class). I think we were both not at the top of our games having trained so hard twice a day for the past week but we still fought it out to the best we could. I felt in control the whole match and won the game 4-1.

Besides the Melbourne Cup today its my mum's bday!!!!! So HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Korean Team Down Under

A few of us posing in the cold weather

Kristy and I enjoying the food

The Korean Team have come down under this week to "climatize", train with us and prepare for their Asian Games competition. Although they are in Australia I still feel as though we are training with them, not them training with us. It's awsome having them here and I love the intensity alot of them bring into training...if only it could always be like this!

Tuesday evening we were invited to their hotel for a barbecue....little did we think a barbecue by the pool really meant "Korean" BBQ: Sausages with Korean hot chilli/bean paste sauce...oh and my personal favourite - chopsticks! The weather was terrible and we froze all night outside. After dinner we made our way inside where some of the team entertained us with games like rock scissors paper. You have to watch the clip to notice its not the average childschool game:) ...it was too complex for me!

Schedule: Tomorrow we are having a friendly comp against them at the State Netball centre in Melb.

WAIS DINNER - Pole Vault : Athlete of the Year

At the WAIS dinner on the red carpet:)

Together with Amber Bradley from Rowing.

On the 27th of October the Annual WAIS award dinner was held in Perth. Basil Z was the presenter of the evening and most of WA's sporting enthusiasts were there. I was nominated as a finalist of the year having won the World Cup this year, the Belgium Open and the 2005 Nationals. I did not win on the night but I did have a really good, inspiring evening. Other nominees included:

PAUL BURGESS (POLE VAULT) = WINNER
Amber Bradley & Jo Lutz (Rowing)
Robin Bell (Slalom Canoeing)
Peter Dawson (Cycling)
Emma Knox & Gemma Beadsworth (Water Polo)

Just wanna say thanks to WAIS this year for their continued support and congrats to PAUL BURGESS!

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.