The Tournament

I felt slightly pressured to blog.
Although it's not a bad thing to blog, I just rarely get the access to a computer. I thought today would be perfect. Long weekend. Plenty of extra time not having to work and all...

I wanted to jabber a bit about the tournament.
Really it was one of my greatest experiences. I'm not much for tournaments, since, I went in one when I was an orange belt. That was a pretty long time ago. I just kind of decided that wasn't where I wanted to go with my Kung Fu. I thought it was all about showing off. But I am a lot more mature now and see the advantages to competing.

It made me specialize practice in my two favourite forms. I loved every second of practicing those forms for the tournament. A couple months ago I wouldn't have said they were my two favourite forms but after spending so much time on them I was really happy with the improvement that I felt in both. Kempo, I've known so long I almost zone out sometimes when I'm doing it. It's like when I'm finished, I can't really remember doing the form, only that I've arrived at the end. I really had to start focusing on all the details and I've become completely fascinated with it. And my horse hair whisk form, was one of the most difficult forms I've had to learn. I have a long way to go but I was happy with the improvement.

I really had a positive experience at the tournament as well. I enjoyed helping out at ringside, watching a lot of the other belt levels compete. It's the first time I've been to a tournament in years and to see such good sportsmanship and positive attitudes really got me excited. Even with the younger competitors who can't seem to help but love a bit of the glory, acted with a lot of respect towards one another. I was really thrilled to see that.

When it was my turn I was definitely more nervous than I expected, I felt a lot more emotional than I expected, but I made it through. Afterwards I was thinking that I should have entered more. That's how things go sometimes. I wasn't brave enough to just get up there and do everything. But I felt brave enough afterwards. Ha ha. Where were you courage??

I discovered that tournaments can certainly be used as a tool for improvement. Once I got up there and did my forms, it didn't matter what medal I got, if any. What mattered was that it was a victory for myself. I feel stronger mentally, I'm inspired again by what Kung Fu does for me, and I have visible improvement in my forms. I mean if that's not success I don't know what is. Thanks to everyone who participated.