Sat May 14th - Annual Shiai Competition
I have been told to register for this tournament, and been given very little detail. I print off a form that I find very difficult to understand, so fill in my name and take payment, Sensei takes the form and states she will fill in the rest!
Sometimes I feel like I have no idea what is going on. A bit like a leaf floating down a river.
I really want to know what is going on with regards my Karate journey and education, but I feel like a lot is left to 'figuring it out' along the way.
I arrive at the tournament, and have told the club I will take photos of the event that can be used for promotion purposes in the future. I take photos all morning. I read the schedule of events and I am entered into a kata for adults, yellow belt and below.
Kata (型 or 形 literally: "form"?), a Japanese word, are detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general.[1]
(Source:Wikipedia)
My event is scheduled for 1 pm. I am stood next to an organizer who elbows me in the arm and says..
"That was you! They just called your name!"
I listen again and hear my name to go to the mat to compete. I look at my watch, it's 11.30 am. I am not dressed. She runs over, speaks to the organizing committee and runs back, telling me to go and get dressed into my gi. I grab my bag, run into the changing room, throw my stuff on, hurry out to the mat and stand next to the other two competitors. Both are yellow belts.
we can do a kata of our choice. I only know 2, yet they know 4, so I assume we all choose the hardest one we know. They both compete well. I head up into the centre of the mat, the last to go. I look at the judge straight ahead of me, and I feel somewhat calm. I have played sport in front of crowds, and played in a band that has toured, so I tend to not get nervous performing in front of others. I do see Sheian, and as he is looking over, I feel a sense of wanting to perform well, to sho him that all his effort teaching has not been wasted. Also, being the 'lowest' belt, I guess there is an expectation that I will get the bronze medal. I start my kata, and am flying through it. At a point I am thinking maybe I am going too fast. I have not warmed up, have had no time to think about it, and just as I am heading through to the last phase of moves a lady comes on the PA and starts reading results, I freeze, forgetting my next move.
Think quick, think quick! I look over at the table as if to chastise the woman, then remember the next set of moves. I complete, then step back. Results are read, and I win the silver medal. I feel happy, especially as one Sensei comes over to congratulate me and says "that was very unexpected!"
I did not enter Karate to be competitive with others. If I had a choice, and I knew what the event entailed, I may not have entered this event. I felt obligated, and was led to believe the whole club was coming, yet there was only a handful of us. I could have done a better Kata, smoother movements, and kept concentration throughout. Something to work on!
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