Since my last blog a lot has happened!
Before leaving Japan I manged to catch a lung infection that has stayed with me from the 15th of March ’til now. I had a severe cough that hindered me from working out for the first two weeks of being home. The last thing I wanted after 2 months of hard training in Tokyo. The sickness lasted longer than anticipated and only gave me one solid week of preparation for Senior Nationals in Virginia Beach.
My parents and I were scheduled to arrive in Virginia on Thursday April 10th around 12 in the afternoon. Due to all the cancellations with American Airlines I arrived BY MYSELF at 3am. Keep in mind I had to weigh in at 6am and I was fighting by 10am. We were very angry to say the least but after a long day of fighting I ended up taking 2nd place, qualifying myself for the Olympic Trials being held June 13th to the 15th in Las Vegas.
Granted, 2nd place is not what I wanted… I have to look at the big picture and that is the Olympic Trials. I am in a good position going into the trials and even though I am not number one, I can say from experience, I do best under pressure. I know this because I was number 5 going into the Olympic Trials in 2004 and I still made the team. Knowing that there is someone in my division that has beaten me WILL ONLY benefit my training from now until the trials. With every judo practice, run, and gym workout here on out I will be thinking about that match I lost in the finals for gold. Yes I could come up with excuses and reasons for why I did not take first place at Nationals but that is not me. I lost. BUT Senior Nationals is not the ultimate goal. Winning the Olympic Trials and making the 2008 Olympic Team is the ultimate goal.
I arrived from Virginia late last night and I am already planning my next trip. I will be leaving next Monday for a 10 day training camp and tournament being held in Cuba. Besides the Japanese, the Cubans are the best in the world.
There are only 60 days remaining until I know whether or not I will be on the Beijing Olympic Team. BELIEVE ME when I say I am going to give it everything I have left in order to make the 2008 team.
I am always looking for donations being that this is an expensive sport with all the expenses that come with training and fighting all over the world. If you would like to be one of my sponsors please contact me at nkubes_22@hotmail.com.
Thank you for your support,
Nikki Kubes
