Saturday, May 21st

Sorry -- I did not blog yesterday --- it was a VERY long and tiring day.  After the tournament all the people from Alberta went with Senseis Elaine and Cody for supper.  We went straight from the tournament, to the room and had just enough time to change and meet back downstairs to go for supper.  The tournament ran super late -- my ring was the last one to finish out of the whole tournament!!     We didn't get back  until very late at night from supper - I decided I wanted to go for a swim to unwind and then to bed!


I learned that this tournament is really 'hurry up and wait'!  I was told and given a sheet that said  I had to be ready for 11:30 when I registered the very first day.  All the times are listed beside what ring you are suppose to be in.  

Mom and I got up early so that we could eat and get ready.  Mom made breakfast in the room while I got my gear ready.  We went downstairs so that I could warm up - this would have been around 10:45 am.   They were still in the middle of the weapons classes.....so I knew I had a bit more time.   That turned into A LOT more time!   wow.   We didn't start the sparring matches until about 3 pm!  My was around 5 pm!

all I know is that I was really tired of waiting!  It was interesting to watch but when you are thinking about your own match you just don't really like it the same.   I get the case of the nerves when I have to wait and wait.  I am glad I had mom here because she is so calm about competitions and tournaments ....nothing seems to make her worry.   She massaged my back which helps me a lot to calm down.  I got a lot of back rubs while waiting and waiting!

I have learned that I have to do a lot more training and sparring for speed and for endurance.  These guys are fast here!  When mom is allowed to run again in a couple of weeks, she will be good to help me train endurance.   I will have a running partner there.   

I learned that I didn't have the right type of gloves here.  We have open finger sparring gloves at home and they are not allowed in these type of tournaments.   I didn't know this - so I panicked again about equipment. We met some really nice parents there and  Mr Frank Lui, this one dad whose son was in my division said I could borrow his daughters gloves when she got finished.  They were a super nice family and he helped me out a lot with 'tips'.   In the end it was Sensei Elaine and Cody that found me a pair of gloves to use and I thank them and Cassidy for that.   Mr Lui gave mom the name of gloves and head gear that are allowed at this level of competition.   He said the one type of glove that his son uses can only be ordered online because it is not found in Canada but it is a good glove and will last for ages.  Anyways mom took all that information down.  I had other things to worry about.

Mr Lui said his son really works on endurance - that is very important.  I think Justin is about the best in the tournament in my division -- he does everything really super good.  He also does weapons and other divisions too.  Same with his sister. 

There were 11 in my weight division and when my match finally happened I did ok the first round and was at least able to score a bit.  Everything is much faster here - even the reffing!   I was really lucky in that Sensei Cody coached me ringside.  Everyone had their coaches ringside and they set up chairs at the sides for them.  I was glad he was there.  At one point I did a jumping scissor round house kick and Sensei Cody said it was an awesome move and said it should have 'counted' but only one out of the 3 judges saw it, so it didn't count.  That would have given me about 3 points if the judges had seen it!!    They were really tough matches and I think I really did good against the blackbelts.  You really have to be sharp on your blitzes.   They are super fast!

On the second round however, it was tougher.  I wasn't able to score any points.  That is when I knew I had to work on speed and combos....big time!

I was not one of the six that advanced into the 3 rounds for Sunday.  I am going to go and watch some of the tournament on Sunday and cheer a few on.  

 This is my friends from Sylvan, Sensei Howes and Josh.  Josh is in a lighter weight division than I am.  His division would go before mine but we were all waiting.

 Josh and his dad discussing some of the matches that were held before all of ours.

 Me waiting and thinking.

And waiting some more.

This is one of the refs -- he was a riot.  He had a lot of humor and was a really good ref. 

 This was one of the matches.  I am not sure who they are but I think they are both from Ontario.  There are a lot of big clubs here from Ontario.

 I am still waiting.

 Enough pictures.  Mom was snap happy.  She didn't get any pictures of my matches because she was doing the video camera.  I haven't seen the video yet. I was too hungry after the tournament was over and then we had to get ready fast to meet everyone for dinner. 

  I am hiding behind the gloves I had borrowed.  I saw mom trying to take my picture AGAIN.

 My mouthguard smile.

 Checking my mouthguard.

And waiting some more.


I have a lot of homework to do when I get back.  I am going to need to talk to Sensei Ryan about what he thinks I should do about Spain.  I placed 3rd in continous sparring which means I have a placement on Team Canada.  I know I have to be a lot faster.  I always felt I was better in point sparring because that is what I know more about.   Mom said we will discuss this all with Sensei and with dad when I get home and not to worry about it here.