This fall I was chosen, along with my brother Paul and another student John Paraskevopoulos, to attend the "MARTIAL ARTS WAS OF THE WORLD" championship in Holland. We went with my instructor George Andronikidis who also is my father.

I have been to many Greek tournaments but never to one outside my country.

Yeliz performing a weapon form

The whole trip was a big experience for me. Right from the beginning I experienced for the first time flying on an aeroplane and travelling with a high speed train.

Holland is a beautiful country with people of all nationalities. Holland is a country much different than Greece. It has tall green forest and very flat land. Having taken the train from Amsterdam to Groningen I was lucky to see quite a lot of Holland and I liked it very much. Once in Groningen I was surprised at the number of people, including very young children, that ride bicycles.

We stayed some days in master Earl Blijd's home. Master Blijd is a well known Wushu teacher in Holland. He is also an expert in making Chinese food which I enjoyed eating during our stay. Some days we also stayed at the home of Sensei Donald Jano. Sensei Jano has a very nice family and I was happy to see my friend Elvira whom I met at a tournament here in Greece. Both Master Blijd and Sensei Jano were very, very nice to us.

Show Fight: Aissa vs. Hafid

The championship was so exciting to me. There were Athletes from many countries and there was a lot of competition and variety in styles. It was a two day event and it was well organized by the organizer Bert Toisuta. I liked the lion dancing, musical forms, group forms and board breaking.

I took part in three events in my age group. Forms, weapons and fighting. I can't believe I did so well. In each event I took second place which means I left the tournament with three second place trophies.

Jente performing a musical form

My brother Paul, who has a brown belt, faced much tougher competitors but he did very good and took third place in forms. John Paraskevopoulos also took third place in the black belt forms. Of course I was thrilled about winning, after training so hard all summer, but, it's not just about winning. I made new friends, experienced new food and customs and I got to see Holland.

Thank you master Blijd and Sensei Jano for an experience I will never forget.

Elizabeth Andronikidis
Greece