News from Latvia
As some of you know, Maya was invited to be part of a small U.S. delegation participating in the 2009 International Union of Kettlebell Lifting’s VENTSPILS ATLANTS. The event took place over the weekend at the Olympic Training Center in Ventspils, Latvia. Delegates included teams from Denmark, France, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Ireland, USA, Slovenia, Estonia, Russia, Ukraine, Belorussia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Despite some recent tragedies in our family and very limited training time, I am quite proud to report that Maya managed to take 1st place in her weight class and won the Best Overall Lifter Award in the 16kg snatch event. We are still in shock considering the surmounting circumstances preceding the trip and we’d like to take this opportunity to thank our head coach Catherine Imes of the American Kettlebell Club for her guidance and expertise along the way.
I am sure Maya will write more about this upon her return in a few days. This is all I have for now due to our limited communication. I am extremely thankful to our family and friends at the IC and our wonderful sponsors for their prayers, well wishes, and continued support of the ICKB Team!
Best,
Steven
p.s. Cate, Lorraine (both of you), and Andrew, thank you for looking after my wife!
Yeah you go Maya!!! That is is wonderful/exciting news. You always know how to represent so well.
We couldn’t wait to hear/see something from your big trip and can’t wait to hear more when you get back… Safe travels.
Congratulations Maya! Very proud of you! I love this picture there is something so calm and maybe even peaceful about it and then I noticed the rep numbers and time…talk about staying cool and calm under pressure. I look forward to hearing more about your latest KB adventure! Miss you. Safe travels home!
you both are always inspiring, esp under unusual circumstances. Great job Maya and Steve for keeping it together back home
Way to go Maya! Amazing and inspirational work!
Amazing.
Woo Hoo! Maya, you rock! Rest up and come home soon. We look forward to all the details from your epic journey. Nice lock-out missy! Sending you love!
Maya, you are always an inspiration to me! you go girl!
Maya and Steven, you two are unstoppable! What exciting news in the midst of some challenging times. We are thrilled for you!
Great job Maya! You are truly inspiring.
Wow! This gives me shivers. Maya, you are AWESOME. So much beautiful strength of every kind!
Maya, you are absolutely incredible!!!
I had the privilege to see Maya’s set, and I assure you that it was a gutsy one! Way to go!
Maya thanks for all the inspiration; you always show the keys to success
preperation, purpose and finishing the job. keep rising to the top
Maya, you clearly have a gift of rising above the odds, taking the various challenging aspects of Life and triumphing. Your passion for sport, family and being good is taking you far on the frontiers. Bravo for your champion spirit and strength !
We are super proud of you!!
Barbara and Foreste (and the rest of our family!)
Hi Steve,
Maya was (as always) an openhearted and working on pictures and videos as soon as she was back in her room, and when her mama was sick, she stayed with her. Well, I was the cure for Lorrie, since I was the one to took out of the room, right Lorrie
I think she has a lot of material for you, so prepare
Gregor
Hi Steve,
Maya was (as always) an openhearted and working on pictures and videos as soon as she was back in her room, and when her mama was sick, she stayed with her. Well, I was the cure for Lorrie, since I was the one to took out of the room, right Lorrie
I think she has a lot of material for you, so prepare
Gregor
Yeah, Maya!! Congratulations!!
Marko,
Congratulations on your new PR! I heard that you did an amazing set with Jerk. I hope someone captured it on video. Way to represent Finland!
Hey Gregor,
I hear you are quite the Dancer
Maybe you can teach us all the Slovenian Groove in Chicago!
Seriously, thank you for looking after Lorrie and Maya. I heard that you made a PR in Jerk. I am excited to see the video. Yes, I am sure there is a ton of footage to go through. See you in a few weeks!
Great to meet your mother and you Maya!
Agree it was a great and gutsy snatch set!
hope it’s ok:
I took the liberty of putting your pic on my blog…
http://alexandersgs-trainingblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/tillbaka-fran-ventspils-atlants.html
I that wrote that piece in Swedish to satisfy curious compatriots.
And THIS is why I’m back at the IC for 6am Bootcamp after so many months away….Maya you just keep going on with your BAD self, girl. I am your never-ending fan; as are so many women I work with who have seen your “comeback” video.
As my man ‘Pac would say, “keep your head up!” I know you are a strong woman.
Love ya, and can hardly wait to see you back “home.”
Maya we are so proud of you!!! Can’t wait to see you and give you a HUGE HUG!!
xoxo
congratulations to both Coach and Athlete!
Maya!!!! Way to tear it up!!! Even jet lag can’t hold you back from excelling!!
Congratulations Maya!
Felicidades Maya. Always an inspiration. Miss you!
That was great set, absolutely love that strong Panther up there!
Thank you for taking me out for fresh air Gregor! It was a lot of fun hanging out again. Can’t wait for the next one.
So proud of all of you guys!
-KB MAMA
Maya,
Way to Break it down!! Very nice hopefully I will see you this weekend of you guys are around..
Maya – you truly rock. We are so proud of you!!
Thank you to everyone who commented here, especially those of you from the Ice Chamber. You guys are our greatest supporters and it feels great to make you proud. Though my actual rep count was not that impressive, I felt good about my technical effort. Also, other factors like jet lag, travel nausea, and foreign kettlbells made things harder, but I’m glad I didn’t let those excuses get in the way. To my kettlebell friends like Kukka, Gregor, Merkl, and Marko, you guys truly made the experience for me. Thank you for a fabulous time! C-duff, we’re here this weekend! Dolby, I miss you my friend and I want to send you a special thank you for reaching out. I hope I see you on the platform again soon.
Congratulations Maya. So exciting and wonderful!
Leslie