So, I said I took third place at the tournament. Yeah, kind of. I was third out of three competitors! On the other hand, there were only three guys who were advanced kyu belt and over the age of 18, and both the other guys were in their 30's. So here I was, a couple months shy of 50, sparring young ones! But it was great.
Unlike my previous humiliation, which lasted all of 42 seconds and I never scored a single point, this was rock-em-sock-em and I did score a few points. I don't mind losing; I learned from my past mistakes, and I learned some new lessons for my next attempt.
Here's my first match against Tim, who is 31. He went on to win first place.
http://youtu.be/DlmFdbCncHE
He found my weaknesses pretty easily - I don't guard my midsection well enough. He kept planting kicks there, which was smart of him. Unlike the previous tournament, when he kicked me, I knew I had been kicked. I did manage to score a few points against him, so that's an improvement.
Here is my second match against Brian, the Kung Fu stylist. I believe he was 37. In any case, he got me pretty good; but I scored a 'flip kick' to his head that had the judges buzzing - one of them congratulated me on my control and one of them came up to me later on and bowed and called me 'sensei' and told me how great that one kick was. It's hard to see - about 48 seconds in I think. It was a front snap kick that I turned over and opened my hips and shot right at Brian's head. Brian also told me after the match how much that kick had caught him by suprise; he really liked it. It was my point for that.
I also experimented a little. I fought out of the Chinto kata in two openings. The second was more successful; I used the crane stance from Chinto and when Brian came in at me, I pivoted my hips and ripped the snap kick into his groin. I do not think I was awarded the point on that, but Brian told me later that yes, that was a hit.
http://youtu.be/FKCUGgKFyWA
I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed that match! Looking at the videos later, well, I'm not as impressed with myself. But being there is not the same as looking at yourself. I really loved it. I love to spar. Eventually, I'll get better.
Anyway, your comments would be most appreciated. Feel free to offer advice or criticism. Most of you know I've got thick skin and can take it. Thanks!
Unlike my previous humiliation, which lasted all of 42 seconds and I never scored a single point, this was rock-em-sock-em and I did score a few points. I don't mind losing; I learned from my past mistakes, and I learned some new lessons for my next attempt.
Here's my first match against Tim, who is 31. He went on to win first place.
http://youtu.be/DlmFdbCncHE
He found my weaknesses pretty easily - I don't guard my midsection well enough. He kept planting kicks there, which was smart of him. Unlike the previous tournament, when he kicked me, I knew I had been kicked. I did manage to score a few points against him, so that's an improvement.
Here is my second match against Brian, the Kung Fu stylist. I believe he was 37. In any case, he got me pretty good; but I scored a 'flip kick' to his head that had the judges buzzing - one of them congratulated me on my control and one of them came up to me later on and bowed and called me 'sensei' and told me how great that one kick was. It's hard to see - about 48 seconds in I think. It was a front snap kick that I turned over and opened my hips and shot right at Brian's head. Brian also told me after the match how much that kick had caught him by suprise; he really liked it. It was my point for that.
I also experimented a little. I fought out of the Chinto kata in two openings. The second was more successful; I used the crane stance from Chinto and when Brian came in at me, I pivoted my hips and ripped the snap kick into his groin. I do not think I was awarded the point on that, but Brian told me later that yes, that was a hit.
http://youtu.be/FKCUGgKFyWA
I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed that match! Looking at the videos later, well, I'm not as impressed with myself. But being there is not the same as looking at yourself. I really loved it. I love to spar. Eventually, I'll get better.
Anyway, your comments would be most appreciated. Feel free to offer advice or criticism. Most of you know I've got thick skin and can take it. Thanks!