Blake praises quality meals & Accommodation in Russia

Jul 04, 2021 Sports

By Sean Devers

Forty-seven-year-old Forgotten Youths Foundation (FYF) Coach Sebert Blake and number 19th rated Bantamweight in the World, 22-year-old Keevin Allicock arrived in Russia two days ago for a three-week training camp ahead of the Tokyo Olympics later this month in Japan.

Coach Blake (left) and Allicock arrive in Russia for a 3-week camp ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.

Speaking with Kaieteur Sports from his hotel room, Coach Blake, who produced a World Champion in 2010 when Shondell Alfred knocked out American based Guyanese Corrine Van Ryck DeGroot in Guyana, informed that Russia is 14 hours ahead of Guyana.
“We arrived here on Friday (Thursday in Guyana) and we went for a run this morning (Saturday in Russia) and did some strength and conditioning work as we are in the pre-competition phase.
The conditions are pretty good even though the temperature is around 20 degrees and were able to cope with it and as time goes by we will be able to be more comfortable with the weather conditions,” informed the very experienced Coach.
Blake explained that the Covid-19 protocols mandated that the Guyanese pair had to wear a mask throughout the journey on the plane and in the terminals.
“When we got to Hungry we had to do screening and testing for the pandemic but everything was smooth sailing… no hiccups from Guyana to here.
The meals are very tasty and nutritious based on what we sent up. They asked us what we liked to eat and they were well prepared for us. The dinner and Lunch we had so far were on point and everything is going well so far,” continued Blake who, as a Boxer attended 2000 Olympic trials in Florida.
The Blake, who was with Allicock in Australia for the Youth Commonwealth Games, explained that he had to send a programme to the organising team in Russia.
“In my schedule I tried to maintain the same format I used in Guyana for now, until Monday when they will submit their programme which we will follow.
But as of now, I am doing my programme which is two sessions a day. Day clean, which is five in the morning, is very bright here so we’re able to get out there by six and do our regular morning workout,” added Coach Blake.
“We have scheduled a session for this afternoon (Yesterday Guyana time) because we missed a few days during traveling…. so we are trying to catch up on some work…not anything intense or high in volume.
This is to get him to feel a little comfortable as we move forward,” disclosed Blake, who won a Bronze medal at the 1997 Pan Am Games in Colombia.
“So far the accommodation is great! We are in one room with two beds. I like it this way since I can have close contact with Keevin and hear him during the night…look at him and see he is comfortable. So I have a hands-on view of everything he does.
This arrangement is very conducive as a Coach to see every aspect of Keevin’s preparation now and moving forward which is great for me since I get what I want out of him. I am happy with what we have here,” posited Blake.
Blake disclosed that Keevin is in high spirits.
“He got up this morning and did his own service…he is a true believer in Christ… he did his thing and I give him his space and stepped in and went along with his programme on the biblical side.
I am grateful that I can draw some strength from him also on the spiritual side. So he is good, he is coping, he is happy and in high spirits and he is very confident and so am I,” concluded the Coach.
Allicock is Guyana’s best hope of a Medal in Tokyo after fellow pugilist Mike Parris won Bronze in the 1980 Olympics in Moscow making it 41 years ago since this Country won its only Olympic Medal.
Allicock is the first Boxer to qualify for the Olympics since John Douglas qualified 25 years ago.