TeamGB Interview with Amy Connell and Joe Kellaway

 

Its been a busy couple of weeks since Joe and Amy qualified for the European Games which are being held in Minsk from the 21-30 June. There has been plenty of pre training and today Joe, Amy, Davin Pack BKF Kumite Coach and Gary Anderson BKF Performance Officer attended TeamGB to collect the official kit to be worn at the 2nd European Games.

 

We managed to catch up with Joe and Amy for a Q & A see below:

 

How long have you been training and in which style?

 

Amy: I started training when I was about 3 years old as my Dad taught karate. My style is Shitoryu.

 

Joe: I’ve been doing karate for 16 years and been practicing Wado Ryu teachings.

 

What is your biggest achievements so far?

 

Amy: My biggest achievements to date would be my 3 European medals. World university bronze medal and my K1 Paris Open silver medal.

 

Joe: My biggest achievement has to be my European Bronze medal senior -75kg which I won in Madrid this year, which lead me to get selected for Team GB

 

How did you feel once you were selected for Minsk 2019?

 

Amy: When I won my European bronze medal I was unbelievably happy but then to find out afterwards that I had qualified for Minsk was another level of excitement for me.

 

Joe: Once I knew I secured my place for the games, I felt on top of the world and had the biggest buzz for at least a couple of weeks, was a really emotional day

 

How have the preparations been going for Minsk 2019?

 

Amy: Great. It’s been an intense few months of training and the preparations have been going really well.

 

Joe: Preparation for the games is going very well, I’ve had lots of comps such as the 10k clash, few K1’s and the British championships which means lots of matt time. I’ve also had good sessions run by my club coach Andreas Michaelides. Last thing I’ll do is go into a camp with Davin Pack and Paul Newby to get the final prep before going away to the Games.

 

How have your families reacted to your qualification for Minsk?

 

Amy: They were extremely happy for me. They have always been such a massive support to me and for them to see me representing Great Britain is a huge honour.

 

Joe: My family and girlfriend have been so proud of me, just nice to know all the sacrifices that I and the Family have made has been worth it for this moment.

 

What does it mean to you to be representing Team GB and British Karate?

 

Amy: It means so much to me, ever since I was young I have watched athletes represent Great Britain wearing the GB kit and always wanted to be one. So this will be a special moment in my sporting career. Alongside representing British Karate who have been a huge support to me as an athlete.

 

Joe: I mean to be first Male representing team GB in karate is a massive achievement and to make that history means the world to me. To represent the whole of British karate is truly something special and hopefully I can bring back a medal to show it.

 

What’s your plans for the future?

 

Amy: Currently my main focus is peaking for the Europeans Games in Minsk which then leads into my bigger goal which is qualifying for Tokyo 2020.

 

Joe: Well I want keep focused for the European Games first as that’s my main objective is to place on the podium but after that it’s still my dream to go to the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

 

Thank you Joe & Amy and good luck in Minsk.