First Tournament!

First Tournament!

Tournament Recap!

TL;DR…I got 2nd place. I’m sore as fuck and happy with my result.

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My division had 11 people in it and didn’t start until later in the day (4:30pm). It worked out well since it gave me an opportunity to see the process and watch my teammates compete. I was extremely anxious when it was time for me to go. My opponent was taller and very muscular. I was afraid I was going to defend against his strength grips and I was right! I did manage to take him down right away with a lapel drag, but I slung him back too far and I ended up on all fours and him cranking my neck. I did manage to eventually break free, and went for a kimura since I was in a psuedo S-mount. He turtled up and I swung to his back and latched on to get the points. Once I saw the ref acknowledge my points, I attacked his collar and attempted a bow & arrow choke. I thought the guy tapped since the ref motioned something and I released my grip. Turned out he didn’t and he spun into my closed guard. I think we pretty much stalled at that point and time was up.

With my next match, I didn’t think I won. I went for a Tomoe Nagi but ended up pulling guard. I didn’t accomplish much, but I do recall trying for triangle, arm bar, kimura, flower sweep, flower sweep to triangle setup, scissor sweep, tripod sweep, but he ultimately passed my guard and went to half guard. I kept thinking, “This is the shit you’ve been drilling. Sweep him!! Don’t think; do it!” I faked the roll but ended up coming out the back. I forgot to trap the leg but I still got points for the sweep as I spun around to like a North-South S-mount. I saw an armbar opportunity and went for it, however, he escaped. Looking at the video, I should have clamped tighter on his shoulder with my thighs. Regardless, another scramble ensued and I ended up under his side control. I recall him trying to drive his forearm into my neck. I struggled breathing from his top pressure and forearm on my trachea. I wanted to spit my mouthpiece out. All I heard from my team was, “You’re down and need to sweep!! 30 SECONDS!!!” I mustered every bit of energy I had to bridge, then shrimp. I was half way through my pass when the whistle blew. I thought I lost. I didn’t even look at the scoreboard and then felt my hand raised at the end announcing me winner. I was surprised.

By the time I had to fight my final match, I was spent. My forearms ached. I couldn’t even make a fist since my fingers were dead from grips. I kept catching myself breathing heavily and tried to control it with deep breaths. Jimmy was so kind as to massage my forearms for me and give me tips. I wasn’t in the mindset to listen. I heard him, but I was zoned out wondering how I’d have enough energy to compete another match. I kept telling myself, he is just as tired as me. The final match didn’t last long. He shot for a single and then there was a break called from the ref. He had a rubber ring on and the ref wanted to inspect it. When we restarted, he shot for the single again and I was too slow to react. I pulled him into my guard and attempted to sweep. He ended up passing and got me in a Kimura. That was it. Game over. All I thought was “Fuck! Why did I leave my arm out like that!?!” Oh well, lesson learned. We talked after the match and even took a photo together. Super nice guy and hope to see him again to just train and roll.

All said and done, this experience made me realize how much I don’t know. I mean, I forgot so much when I needed to just react. I didn’t have the time to think about it like I do in class. In class, I don’t mind working from the bottom. In competition, it felt like I didn’t have enough time to setup. Of course, it’s in my mind. I had ample time, but my mind just raced and I was convinced to just GO GO GO.

My family was very happy for me and I’m so glad they came to support me. I definitely want to do another, but I need to slow down my mind and drill the fuck out of moves. I don’t want to have to think, but just react.

Until next time…

 

2 thoughts on “First Tournament!

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