Last Saturday, Cologne Muay Thai Kickboks club from Cologne visited Fight Game Academy in Zuidlaren. The German club attended with a large group: 30 athletes and 8 trainers and assistant trainers. The participants were boys and girls aged 14 to 17.
The reason for their visit to Zuidlaren was special. During their kickboxing camp, they wanted to train at the place where Sem Schilt, four-time K-1 champion, shares his knowledge and experience. The contact was made through Jakob Styben, an A-class fighter who is coached by Sem during his preparations for fights.
Three hours of training on the basics
The training lasted a total of three hours, with a short break in between to have something to eat. The main focus of the session was on basic techniques. Sem had the participants work on short combinations that can later be linked together at the right moment.
The atmosphere was relaxed, but at the same time motivated. Everyone was open to learning something new. The trainers from Cologne Muay Thai Kickboks club were also actively involved and supported Sem’s technical instructions. Sometimes it is exactly those fresh eyes that make the difference: you can explain something a thousand times, but when someone else explains it in a different way, suddenly it clicks.
“I can’t do that”
A great moment during the training came when the group practised the spinning back kick. This technique requires flexibility, coordination and confidence. Some participants quickly said: “I can’t do that.”
And that was exactly where an important lesson came in. Through Sem’s calm step-by-step approach, the technique was explained in a way that allowed everyone to experience that such a kick is indeed possible. Sem also shared an important message: if you say you cannot do something, it often will not work. But if you say you can do it, even when you cannot do it yet, you will do everything you can to make it happen.
That is exactly what martial arts are about: to keep trying, to stay open to learning, and to improve yourself step by step.
A camp they will not soon forget
During the camp, the group stayed at a guesthouse in Meppen, Germany. Earlier in the camp, they also trained with Jakob Styben. On Saturday, they travelled by bus to Zuidlaren for the training session at Fight Game Academy. After the training, the participants also had the chance to explore Zuidlaren for a while.
For the athletes, trainers and Fight Game Academy, it was a great experience. The trainers from Cologne Muay Thai Kickboks club were very enthusiastic about the training, and the participants returned to Germany with new insights, techniques and motivation.
Perhaps this format will continue in the future. In any case, we look back on a successful day in which sport, knowledge sharing and international connection were at the centre.
A big thank you to Cologne Muay Thai Kickboks club, all trainers, assistant trainers and participants for their effort and enthusiasm. Hopefully, we will see each other on the mats again soon.
