Speed Bag in Prague, Czech

[Speedbag]

The YMCA had it's international youth festival in Prague, Czech Republic on Aug 3-9 2008. Part of this years program featured
the Speed Bag (look down daily schedule), courtesy of the USA YMCA.

I'm proud to report that Ernie Oriente Sr, the speed bag instructor for the Evelyn Sadler Jones YMCA in Sarasota travelled to Prague, built his own speed bag stand on the grounds, and taught hundreds of kids the speed bag.


And many thanks to Ringside Boxing, who helped sponsor Ernie and his efforts. Here are a few pictures below.

There are few people on the planet like "EO". He did all of this on his own dime, and will teach the speed bag to anyone who will listen. I'm happy to report he is home, recovering from surgery and will soon be back under his home board in the ESJ YMCA.

Congratulations, EO! great job.

[MilkManX]

Looks like it was a great time!

[Biff]

Great story, Alan. What a guy - 76 and still pummeling the bag. Another true ambassador of the speed bag. Thanks for sharing.

Hope he makes a quick and complete recovery.

[Speedbag]

Great story, Alan. What a guy - 76 and still pummeling the bag. Another true ambassador of the speed bag. Thanks for sharing.

Hope he makes a quick and complete recovery.

He is. He's already up an doing fine. He's a stitch and brags about having his prostate removed by a robot. All four of his sons hit the bag and several are exception. They are all great ambassadors of the bag. Anyone in Florida needs to take the time to go to Sarasota and spend a day with EO.

[Speedbag]

Here is a link to a page on speedbagcentral about EO and his trip to prague.

Also, a bit about an article in FightZone Magazine about him.

Nice going Ernie!

[Tim]

That's a cool setup he had. Great for "high volume" training. Looks like it wasn't terribly expensive to get going either.