Tournament!
Went to my second tournament ever, today. Me and Mark both competed.
Singles Forms - I got 2nd place. I was told that if I had more intensity I would have gotten 1st. I really did not feel confident with my form and know that I have a lot more practice to do. I am satisfied with 2nd place seeing as I did not get much practice in before the tournament.
Team Forms - Me and Mark did Taeguek 1 together. We got 3rd place. It was pretty on spot, but the competition was incredible. They had us competing against black belts and the like.... and one of the teams had 5 people in it.... with a VERY creative form set up. We did well, but our form just wasnt advanced enough to compete with the higher belts. I'm still satisfied though, we made it in the top 3 after all.
Sparring - 1st place. This is where it gets interesting. There were 3 people, including me in my division. One was a white belt with yellow stripe (one step below me), the other was a green belt (one step above me). Those two fought eachother, and the winner was to fight me. The green belt completely unloaded on the white belt! Like... he messed him up. He didnt really use control, he just pummeled him. Some of the white belts blood was on the mat and they had to clean it up after the fight.
So here I am, scared shitless, but I gotta look tough or I know the green belt will just use it against me. He has a stone face on.. he hadnt smiled once the whole day, I was watching him (I watch my competition). So inside my head, I'm freaking out as I stand face to chest with him (He is literally about 6'4" and I stand 5'7")... bow, shake hands, and step back with a fierce Kihap! (Maybe my apparent confidence would throw him off..?)
I knew one thing for sure.... I'm not letting him in. I don't want to get hit by that beast. lol. So I kept my distance... and kept planting side kicks into his abdomen / obliques every time he came in close. He had some powerful round kicks, but I did my best to keep my hands up to guard my face, and my elbow / arm down to absorb blows to the midsection. That's exactly what I did, I took in almost every kick with either my arm or my leg. So mostly I hit him with side kicks... and I got a few decent punches to the head / face.
WHAT DID SUCK WAS..... He kicked my cup... and the match had to be stopped so that I could re-adjust it.. lol. AND, at another point, my knee clashed with his shin. paaaaaaain. I still feel that one.. lol.
I had a great time today, and I'm incredibly proud of both myself and Mark. When Mark got his first place, I was so damn proud. haha. Tae Kwon Do does stuff to you. It makes you a little more selfless and you can better appreciate the accomplishments of others. It's great when you can see hard work pay off, either in yourself or others.
I think we represented our school well. We got compliments from many of the guest instructors and Mr. Franceschi... as well as Mr. Tompkins and Mr. Ekberg. I feel very accomplished today.
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I decided I'd put some pictures from TKD in here.
My TKD Club
Me Allan and Chris hanging out at Chris's
Party at Chris's
Ben and Mark, Drunken Sparring
Heather and Ben
Just figured I'd post a few pictures up of the people I spend a good deal of the week with. The people who help me train physically and mentally.
Singles Forms - I got 2nd place. I was told that if I had more intensity I would have gotten 1st. I really did not feel confident with my form and know that I have a lot more practice to do. I am satisfied with 2nd place seeing as I did not get much practice in before the tournament.
Team Forms - Me and Mark did Taeguek 1 together. We got 3rd place. It was pretty on spot, but the competition was incredible. They had us competing against black belts and the like.... and one of the teams had 5 people in it.... with a VERY creative form set up. We did well, but our form just wasnt advanced enough to compete with the higher belts. I'm still satisfied though, we made it in the top 3 after all.
Sparring - 1st place. This is where it gets interesting. There were 3 people, including me in my division. One was a white belt with yellow stripe (one step below me), the other was a green belt (one step above me). Those two fought eachother, and the winner was to fight me. The green belt completely unloaded on the white belt! Like... he messed him up. He didnt really use control, he just pummeled him. Some of the white belts blood was on the mat and they had to clean it up after the fight.
So here I am, scared shitless, but I gotta look tough or I know the green belt will just use it against me. He has a stone face on.. he hadnt smiled once the whole day, I was watching him (I watch my competition). So inside my head, I'm freaking out as I stand face to chest with him (He is literally about 6'4" and I stand 5'7")... bow, shake hands, and step back with a fierce Kihap! (Maybe my apparent confidence would throw him off..?)
I knew one thing for sure.... I'm not letting him in. I don't want to get hit by that beast. lol. So I kept my distance... and kept planting side kicks into his abdomen / obliques every time he came in close. He had some powerful round kicks, but I did my best to keep my hands up to guard my face, and my elbow / arm down to absorb blows to the midsection. That's exactly what I did, I took in almost every kick with either my arm or my leg. So mostly I hit him with side kicks... and I got a few decent punches to the head / face.
WHAT DID SUCK WAS..... He kicked my cup... and the match had to be stopped so that I could re-adjust it.. lol. AND, at another point, my knee clashed with his shin. paaaaaaain. I still feel that one.. lol.
I had a great time today, and I'm incredibly proud of both myself and Mark. When Mark got his first place, I was so damn proud. haha. Tae Kwon Do does stuff to you. It makes you a little more selfless and you can better appreciate the accomplishments of others. It's great when you can see hard work pay off, either in yourself or others.
I think we represented our school well. We got compliments from many of the guest instructors and Mr. Franceschi... as well as Mr. Tompkins and Mr. Ekberg. I feel very accomplished today.
---------
I decided I'd put some pictures from TKD in here.
My TKD Club
Me Allan and Chris hanging out at Chris's
Party at Chris's
Ben and Mark, Drunken Sparring
Heather and Ben
Just figured I'd post a few pictures up of the people I spend a good deal of the week with. The people who help me train physically and mentally.