AGT 2007, 23 & 24 June 2007

The CARISMA AGT (Annual General Training) is a special training session which lasts one or more days and where students of the club have a unique opportunity to practice together in a relaxed and involving environment.

Having this much time to study, consider and concentrate makes the AGT a must for students of any level eager to improve their techniques.

AGT 2007 was the sixth official one for CARISMA, and it was not only a great success it was also an enjoyable and memorable event. Everyone found the experience gratifying.

Once more we had the unique opportunity of training under the guidance of Master Davide Bottini, 7^ Dan black belt and one of the top ranked martial art Masters in Italy. Mr Bottini is well known for his unique ability to run a mixed ability class of students - which is difficult enough - whilst also being able to motivate each individual person to a high level of personal performance as well as increased self confidence and competence.

He is one of two people to have successfully introduced the Art of Kick Boxing to Italy in the early seventies and more recently a founder of a new interesting and devastating style that he calls Multicombat.

Over a training period of two grilling and demanding, yet highly enjoyable, days each student went through 9 hours of training, in a series of tough sessions the efforts of each were finally rewarded with an almost overwhelming sense of relief and pride.

In this occasion Master Bottini (centre on the picture) delivered a gift to the city of Cambridge from Piacenza, his home town, here received by Andrew Thompson (left on the picture). Massimo Gaetani, president and master of CARISMA (right), organizer of the event commented the event as "Master Bottini has delivered a double gift during this trip: the power of his presence and his technical seminars are simply excellent". Andrew Thompson, Sports Development Officer for Cambridge City Council, also commented during the event "I was very impressed with the turn out of the event the activities performed. A big thank you to Master Bottini for the gift from the mayor of Piacenza"

More pictures from the AGT are here.