Jake Ogden at TMAS

Well, what a weekend I have just had...

 Last Saturday and Sunday was the weekend of The Martial Arts Show which took place at Birmingham NEC where I was one of the main presenters. All of the premier martial artists from around the globe were there to sign autographs, conduct workshops and generally enjoy a professional martial arts show.

The weekend began for me on the Thursdsay when I was preparing and getting the WJO stand and promotional material together for the weekend. The set up of the show started on Friday morning at the NEC where all stand holders and perfromers were arriving and preparing for the comming two days. There is always a great vibe as the hall begins to take shape going from an empty shell to a complete show in a matter of hours. As I was one of the main presenters of the show filming started for me on the friday as the hall was being set up. I was filming and interviewing some of the exhibitors and performers. After around an hour and a half of filming it was time to head off and check in to the Hilton Hotel where I was staying for some rest in preparation for a big couple of days.

Saturday came and the show got of to a great start. There were demonstrations on the Lei Tai area and Tatami areas where some of the finest martial artists from Chinese, Japanise and Korean backgrounds showcased there talent. There was also workshops going continually throught the day in designated  workshop areas. I particularly like this feature of the show as the general public can come along and train with their martial arts idols in a relaxed professional environment.

I spent most of the day filming for an up and coming Television programme (which will be aired shortly) in the red carpet section of the show.  In between filming I got lots of opportunity to rome the show with my camera man interviewing martial arts legends like Master Sken, Bill 'Superfoot' Wallace, Kevin pell, Julian Dale and many more alike. I also had the pleasure of filming and and interviewing lots of martial arts enthusiasts on their thoughts on the show and their martial arts heros. This continued all day until the first day of the show came to an end. I then headed back to the Hilton to meet the cast of 'The Law of One' film (due to be released very soon on the big screen) and the Bredrin Filmworks crew. Winston Ellis is the managing director of the Bredrin company and is an absoulte gent; I spent most of the night talking to him and getting to know the cast in preperation for a big interview the next day at TMAS day 2. After a long night it was time for bed for another big day of filming on the sunday.

The sunday at TMAS was another hugely successfull day. I was presenting on the main stage with Julian Dale and Kate Solomons for some of the day and then filming on the red carpet and around the main hall for the rest of the day. At 2.00pm it was my turn to sit in the VIP section where martial arts enthusiasts can come along for a chat and I can sign autographs for them. The feel on Sunday was not as intense as saturday but had a very friendly relaxed type of feel to it.

The whole weekend was a huge success in every area. Paul Clifton, Kwoklyn Wan and the rest of the team did a fantastic job and all that were involved went away happy. I ended up getting back to Northapton early Sunday evening, which gave me plenty of time to spend with my children and my wife.

What a great weekend!

WJO National Championships

Just finished the final part of organising the categories for the WJO National Championships this weekend. Risk assessments next... 
The best part of 1,000 people are expected so should be a good turn out. The excitement begins to build.....