ABSTRACT
Today, the national team consists of a relatively stable squad of elite athletes who are all competing at a high international level in martial arts. This particular branch of martial arts has relatively few practitioners in the country but when some of the athletes perform well in major competitions and championships they are recognized in the national media. Five years ago, the core national squad consisted of only four athletes of roughly the same age, who had trained together for a long time with the same coach. They knew each other well, both inside and outside sport. A new generation of talented juniors reached the senior level, some of them challenging the older athletes at team selections for a spot to represent the country at international competitions and championships. Athletes on the national team are expected to practice most training sessions together under the guidance of one head coach and the assistant coaches.
