Davy van Sprundel is a 20 years old lad who is been doing Shotokan karate since he was 7 years old. He is a 1st DAN karateka. In 2014, he became the Dutch champion.

 

Training Career:

Davy van Sprundel was always a fan of solo sports that would help him channel his energy. All his classmates and friends used to play soccer back then but it was a team sports and he was looking for a solo sports. He came to karate school Do San, he soon realized that karate was his thing. This sport has a lot of tournaments to win the trophies and lots of fun people to train with. Karate made him responsible and disciplined. His training career proved quite fruitful as he won a lot of awards. Winning trophies was his motive to train hard.

Achievement:

Mr.Sprundel has won a lot of awards. Many many awards from the beginning tournaments to major international tournaments. He won the highest prize in 2014 of the Dutch International Championship.

 

Between kata and Kumite his preference is for Kumite. He says that every school practices kata whereas he learned from a place that trains for both kata and Kumite. Mr.Sprundel says that Kumite makes him feel free. He said speed, power, and timing come together at Kumite. According to Sprundel he doesn’t have a favorite sensei instead he feels that every sensei is there to teach you something and is, therefore, all important.

 

Journey:

Mr. Sprundel had a very well beginning of his karate training as he was already talented he polished his skills by changing tyres very quickly and grabbed many awards.  Many opponents used to know his name before the tournaments. His training sessions were good as well many of his partners became his friends. Because of his talent, he was soon allowed to train with the adult group despite his young age. He then became the Dutch champion in 2014. Things got a bit challenging since then, as he was growing and his positions slightly changed. He also got injured a few times. Despite that, he obtained the 1st DAN in 2016 by taking an exam at the union. An exam to show your technical skills.  He also gave the dojo exam which is quite exhausting and uses the right stamina and perseverance. But luckily he passed it as well. According to Sprundel, it was a proud moment. In the 11 years that he trained at Do San, he says he has become very strong mentally. It has shaped him a lot into the person he is today.

Inspiration:

‘‘Karate is and will only be his hobby’’, Sprundel said. For him his only inspiration was himself. He considers that it is not necessary to set or see anyone as an example as Karate is beautiful because you can learn your own way of moving and fighting. ‘‘Why would I want to be like someone else? And won’t be me, distinctively?’’

Challenges:

What is learning without some challenges and a few injuries? Sprundel has been slightly injured a few times. First on the heels which were a nasty injury. Karate is of course done barefoot and that felt very painful at the time. Then later he injured his shins. There was inflammation in it, mainly under his right knee. The training was really taken into account if you had injuries.

 

Motivation and Strength:

According to Sprundel, the TOtaal picture motivates him the most. A sport where technique, strength, and fitness come together. He considers himself mentally unbreakable. He says it takes a lot for him to make him give up.

Piece of Advice:

He gave a piece of advice that he wishes he would be able to teach everyone,

‘‘Mo ichi do’’

You should never give up even though it seems impossible.