The IC Kettlebell Team spent an action packed weekend in Michigan (Detroit Metro, Grand Blanc, Flint Township) for the IKFF / NAKF National Kettlebell Meet. In addition to competing in an excellent event, we met lots of wonderful people and learned a great deal about the culture and history of the area.
Many of you already knew that I had more anxiety than anyone else (I think I lost five pounds thinking about the event). In addition to Sara’s right arm being strained and Maya’s knees acting up the past week, Jessica caught a cold four days before competition. Our last training sessions did not go as well as we would’ve liked. Although the ladies had been training with the 16kgs, we were not certain whether we were ready to step into the professional division at this meet. We strategized and decided that two of them would change divisions.
Here are the results:
Long Cycle Competition (amateur division – 12kg):
Sara (Bear Bear) – GOLD
Heidy – GOLD
Jess – SILVER (her first national competition!)
Long Cycle Competition (professional division- 16kg):
Surya – GOLD
Maya – GOLD
Chair Press (amateur division – 12kg):
Maya – SILVER
Jess – BRONZE
1) We love medals.
2) The fun and relentless Chair Press.
3) Jess scores big while showcasing her technical skills.
4) Team Liberty and Bob Budai’s crew were in the house.
5) Heidy, Sara, and Surya setting new PRs on stage.
6) Competing with the 16kg is a whole different game.
7) In jeans and flip flops.
The rules meeting.
9) Team IC with the incomparable VF.
The hosts and supporters of this awesome event, the IKFF, are responsible for bringing together an amazing group of participants. The event included some of the biggest names in Kettlebell Sport. The organizers, competitors, and spectators brought out the best in our team. Surya, Heidy, and Sara hit their PRs on stage. Go girls! …and, after calling it a night, Maya spontaneously decided to enter the Chair Press competition for fun (with no intention of winning). Jess and Bear-Bear couldn’t resist; they wanted a piece of the action too. Surprise – surprise, Maya won Silver and Jess took the Bronze in the event! (The gold medalist, Amanda, is seated next to Jess in the photo.) What a blast!
The greatest satisfaction came not from winning, however, but from the compliments of many top coaches and competitors about our team’s technical quality, precision, and control of the bell. We were truly touched to receive this feedback because we have been working hard to progress. Although Maya and I would love to take all the credit for the team’s advancement, the truth is that we owe a great deal to our head coaches Catherine Imes and Valery Fedorenko. They’ve never let us get away with a questionable rep without giving us exactly the right advice.
We also want to thank every wonderful member of the Ice Chamber (especially all of our kick-ass training partners on Wednesday nights) for your continued love and support. You guys were in our hearts every step of the way!
Best,
Steven
Highlights:
Andrew Durniat is one of only three people in the world that can pick up a Thomas Inch Dumbbell and a Blob at the same time, making him one of the strongest gripmen of all time!
Prentiss Rhodes (the Beast!) and Catherine Imes (arguably the best U.S. KB lifter to date) in the Ultimate Clean and Jerk: 10 minutes with a 40kg for males or 24kg for females. Ouch!
Ken Blackburn holds the American record for the Chair Press.
Prep time.
A good warm-up is key to good performance.
A moment to reflect and give thanks.
Detroit architecture: old and new.
AMAZING! What a feat for all of the athletes, not to mention for Coach Steven. We’re all so thrilled for you guys! CONGRATULATIONS!
You ladies are an amazing group! Congrats!!!
Awesome! We were all thinking of you this weekend!
sweet victory! believe me, I know how hard you all worked for this – I have so much admiration!
I am so proud of you guys!!! Way to go!
Also, major kudos to our KB coaches. You guys rock.
Congratulations!! Fantastic! I am impressed and very proud of everyone! Dedication, training specificity, pushing hard, and then results…well deserved.
wow, Wow, WOW!! Y’all are badass.
And I love that Maya managed to do at least one event in “longs.” Although I’m glad nobody had to beg, borrow, or steal shorts this time around.
sb
Congratulations to the entire KB team for putting on an incredible performance. I am constantly impressed by the way you carry yourselves on and off the platform. I can not ask for a better team, nor be more proud. Thank you for making my job easy. I learn from you every day.
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you all. And proud! What a joy. Have I said congratulations yet?
Awesome job all! You guys are just terrific and you keep getting better and better! Of course we all had complete faith in each of you!
Hey, how did everyone like the IC KB tanks?
Congratulations to the entire KB team and coach Steven. What an accomplishment!
Thanks for a rockin’ birthday present! Congratz everyone, and Jess, I knew you could do it!
Congratulations to you all!!
Wow! great job. I always knew Maya and Surya were pros, now it’s just official!
We are in the presence of great competitors, with wonderful dedication and work ethics. Not to mention, beautiful women from the inside out.
The best thing about coming home from vacation will be that we get to workout with everyone again! See you at the end of August.
You guys always make it look easy! When I grow up, I want to be you.
High five to all!!!
This is just sooooo awesome…… there was never a doubt in my mind…. you are all such fierce competitors and you keep raising the bar (actually the bell!) – totally Ice Chamber style!!!!
Congratulations to all …… Whoo Hoo !!!!!
congrats, guys! you are so amazing and inspiring!
way to go you badass IC mamas!!!!
love to see strong, smart & sexy ladies represent!
we are so proud of you!!
Wow, you all rock! Congratulations!
Congratulations to the Ice Chamber athletes! You are truly amazing — and take us all into another ‘world’ with your strength, focus, dedication and great ENERGY! It is just THE BEST to know you and be part of Ice Chamber!!!
Hugs from Barbara and Foreste Peterson
So happy to find a computer with a modem rather than dial-up!
Steve, remember what you said to me before I left Wednesday about managing my expectations because the competition was so fierce? I love your humility!
Although my official congrats came through a text message, I just want to say again how incredibly proud I am to train with you bad ass chicas. I have learned so much from you and am inspired by you whenever I am in your presence. Watching you Wednesady night, I knew you were destined for greatness!
I can’t wait to see you all next week so I can give you hugs in person.
I’m so proud and feel so lucky to be part of the IC because you GO FOR THE GOLD!! And get it!! And inspire us to go for it, too. Awesome.
Belated congrats on sweeping your events! Go IC!