Sunday, 25 November 2012

IKFF Nationals 2012 Recap

Team Instinct:
Eric Macintosh 24kg Biathlon 29 Jerks 62 Snatches
Justin Thomas 32kg Biathlon 44 Jerks 81 Snatches


Overall it was a fantastic event for Team Instinct.  The IKFF put on a great show, keeping it well organized and managed to efficiently run 175 competitors through in one day.  Thanks to the IKFF for holding such a great competition, we are already looking forward to next year.

Michelle had an impressive performance in her first competition using the 20kg bell for long cycle.  She achieved 98 reps, 10 more than her previous best set and only 2 reps shy of CMS, which is a great achievement in the sport of kettlebells.  She is well on her way to great numbers with heavy weights.  She has good solid form and a tough mentality that will never let her quit.

Molly is even newer to the sport of kettlebell lifting, having just started learning in late August.  She has quickly picked up the sport, and has a ton of potential to become a great lifter as she continues to work.  Molly is a highly motivated lifter and is driven to train.

Eric Macintosh not only made a late decision to compete in this meet, but also moved from the 16kg bells all the way to the 24kgs.  Even though he made a big jump in weight, his form and technique still looked great.  With continued hard work his numbers will continue to grow.

All three athletes moved up to a new bell weight, and even more impressive than their numbers was their solid form.  Instinct Fitness takes pride in performing technically correct reps.   Their technical performance honors the sport and provides them a solid platform on which they can move up in weight and achieve greater numbers.  It is important to understand that the sport is a journey, and we are not full time athletes.  Being patient and working through the process is important.  My personal journey has taken 3 years to even begin competing with the 32kgs, and I still have tons of room to grow and much to learn. As I grow and learn I will continue to pass this knowledge along to anyone willing to try to the sport.

We consider the Russians to be the masters of this sport, and even after their lifts you could see them analyzing their technique trying to figure out how they could improve.  Every competition is a learning process.  It takes courage to step on the platform and there are so many unpredictable factors that play into your set.  Instinct Fitness will train to make you as prepared as possible to step on the platform.  

Kettlebell Sport is a great because in the end you are really competing against yourself, trying to beat your own records and push your body as hard as you can.  It is an amazingly supportive community of people cheering you on.

We hope to continue to do our part to grow the sport.  If you are ever interested in learn to compete, talk to me.

Justin Thomas
justin.morgan.thomas@gmail.com

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