Annetts to take on the world

Lambourn’s Holly Annetts has been selected to represent Team GB at the World Martial Arts Games in Florida next year.

The 18-year-old was crowned Welsh Open champion in June and is now set to take her karate skills across the Atlantic as she makes her international bow in July 2023.

The World Games will see some of martial arts’ most exciting talents descend on Daytona, 42 miles northeast of Orlando, and Annetts is thrilled to have been selected – even if she did have to stifle her celebrations when she heard the news in her university’s library.

“I was at university, looking for a book in this massive library, and then a notification flashed up on my phone,” Annetts said.

“I was so nervous but also quite excited, I looked and saw my name at the top, I was so pleased.

“I wanted to scream but I couldn’t, I don’t want to be kicked out, I think I let out a sigh of relief.

“I phoned my mum and told her the news in whispers.

“I was over the moon, ecstatic, relieved, anything you can possibly think of, it felt like all the hard work had been worthwhile.

“Then my mind starts ticking, this is one of the biggest opportunities I’ve ever had.

“So on the other hand I was nervous and scared, all these emotions.

“Never in my life did I think I’d have the chance to do something like this.”

The international event will be Annetts’ first overseas competition and her first time representing her country, a moment she’s determined to savour.

She said: “It feels amazing, I’ve watched sports ever since I was young and it’s always been the pinnacle.

“I’ve had ups and downs to get to this point, I’ve had a lot of knockdowns, I feel proud and honoured to represent Team GB.

“Local people, friends and family have all been so supportive and I’ll be representing them, doing it for them.”

In the time between now and the Games, Annetts will be adapting and increasing her training regime, including monthly national squad sessions.

“My training regime’s about to change, I’ll be training with Team GB once a month,” she said.

“I’ll be coming home at weekends to train on a Friday and Saturday, that’s one on one coaching focusing on my karate skills.

“I’ll be in the gym three or four times a week, working on strength and conditioning.

“I’ve got to balance being a full time student with training which isn’t easy, but I’m determined to do it.”

When she’s not in the gym or the dojo, Annetts will be working hard to raise the funds and sponsorship required to help her make it to Florida and realise her ambitions.

She said: “These things definitely aren’t cheap, because I’m still an amateur I’ve got to fund myself.

“I’m looking for sponsors, I’m looking to raise funds, to be honest it’s all new to me.

“It would mean the world to me, I’d love for people to come on this journey with me.”

Now Annetts is set for nine months of hard work and dedication before her date with Daytona – and she can't wait.

"Each day that passes is a good thing because it's a day closer to Daytona," she said.

"There's a lot of hard work ahead but I think it's great, there's a lot of time to practice and improve.

"I've got great people around me, I've got friends that come with me to the gym, I've got a friend planning my training schedule, a supportive partner and fantastic family.

"With them behind me, I think anything's possible."

Annetts has big dreams and a relentlessly positive outlook behind her – when she touches down in the US, Florida really will be the sunshine state.