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The World Karate Championships take place in Belgrade, Serbia, from 16th to 18th December 2011, and for the first time, children from Kalkan will be taking part. The Turkish Fudokan Shotokan Karate-Do team will represent their country, in the sport's top event of the year. Included in the team, will be three Kalkan children, who have been coached by Reyhan Koşar Kıvrak, who was herself European Champion, and a silver medal winner in the World Championships. The children are Mert Özcan, (blue belt, aged 8); İsmet Kaan Günal, (brown belt, aged 9), and Ada Özgür Yılmaz, (brown belt, aged 9). There are others in the group, from Fethiye and Istanbul. Each of the children will be accompanied by a family member. They will fly from Dalaman to Istanbul on 14th December, and then on to Belgrade. They return on 19th December, in time for school on the 20th. Mert has travelled abroad before, but for Ada and İsmet Kaan, it will be their first time. Great excitement
KTLN asked the children how they felt about the trip to Belgrade. They told us that they were excited, and looking forward to the competition. They expect to have fun. Coach Reyhan told KTLN, "It's not about winning medals. If they do win any, it will be a bonus. It's more about the journey and the experience of competing at a higher level". Mert, İsmet Kaan and Ada have been working hard. They have two training sessions a week in Kalkan Gym, with Reyhan, but they also practice in their spare time. We asked Ada if she was tired from all this hard work. "No", she said, "I feel stronger". Is it difficult, we asked?. "Yes, but I enjoy it", she replied. We are sure that all KTLN readers will want to wish them well on their adventure. They have promised to tell us all about it, when they return. İyi şanslar çocuklar! Reyhan Koşar Kıvrak was featured in our Day in the Life series last year. If you are logged in as a KTLN member, you can read about her, by clicking on this link: Day in the Life - Reyhan Koşar Kıvrak. Below: Left to right, Mert, Ada and İsmet Kaan. 
Below: The children practice, whilst coach, Reyhan Koşar Kıvrak looks on. 
Kalkan Turkish Local News KONUYLA İLGİLİ HABERİN TÜRKÇE LİNKİ İÇİN TIKLAYINIZ; http://www.likyahaber.net/haber/haber_detay.asp?haberID=2685
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