It always great to have a fresh new start in creating a new
path for yourself.. With my baggage and vices left on the mat at Grappling X I
now found myself on a new beginning with my entry into the International
Grappling Championships (aka Technique Challenge) and BOyyyy was it something
from a mental, physical, and even unusual standpoint.
Coming along with 2 other teammates this swing, we all found
ourselves facing the first challenge THE
LONG ASS WAIT. I have been to
tournaments that have ran behind but man this was ridiculous 4 hours late. Going
through something like that makes you want to say 4get this shit I’m leaving or just go out there to “get it over with”. As
the clock struck 4pm with the kids division still going one of my teammates was
thinking about leaving ( won’t say his name) but after one of my motivational
angry rants basically telling him…
If you going run off
at least get on the mat and half ass it to a least say u went out there to “compete”
but don’t run away !
I think squared him away good (funny outcome he had).
Looking at it from my standpoint I just saw it as a delay of the inevitable
great battle that will go down that day on the mat. It made my blood rush with
elevated heat, it made my mind more focused, my heart pump out of my chest to
see what will happen when I stepped on to the mat !! After all I knew what I
was there for and nothing was going block me from c’n that.
After waiting countless hours and greeting some BJJ friends through
the process it was finally go time Waiting in the bullpen I was surrounded by my
3 other competitors. One from the Mendes Brother gym, Another from Leo DAlla),
and….holy shit!!! Manuel Figueroa (the same guy I fought in the finals at the
last tournament). Another interesting day was about to unfold !!!
With other 2 teammates already fighting there battles (and
doing well I may add) the pressure seemed follow the pattern.So the first match
saw the Mendes Brothers student vs. the Leo Dalla fighter. The match was very
intense but sadly ended with a controversial leg lock submission (knee reaping I
dunno) giving the Mendes brother blue belt the win. Boy was the other guy
pissed so much so he went to 3 referee’s with the video to demand a reverse decision
(which didn’t go in his favor).He stormed off in anger and disappeared. As I watched
that I told myself I never want to become that way again. I know what I’m
getting myself into and I got to accept whatever comes with the individual bringing
his version of pain to me.
So I guess it was my turn next. As I stood on the side of
the mat heavily focused I was surprisingly interrupted by the shocked that the scorekeeper
said my name correctly (people rarely get
my name right on the first try something is up) as I turned around he stood
up to great me and shook my hand. In my mind I was like who is this guy ? Then
when he said his name it was hella crazy but a true honor to meet IAN LAWLER (the
very first guy I did a military spotlight article on). Sux he was done for the
day would have been awesome if he could have stayed to see my matches.
So the first round found myself going up against a familiar
opponent in Manuel. When I saw him at the first tournament I didnt get too much
interaction with him got a chance to actually talk to him b4 and after the
fight this time around. As I kept telling myself that oh familiar lingo “ I Will
give it everything I have 2day to be a better man than I Once was” and praying
in my mind for strength, protection (for me & my opponent), and personal
growth ; at the corner of my eye I saw something that had my heart almost sink
to my ass. Manuel Figueroa got on his knees and started praying to God almost
for the exact thing (strength in battle). The sight really made me kind of sad
that we couldn’t fight in the finals. 2 individuals out there not 4 prizes but
to become better. However in this slight time of being soft-hearted I quickly thought
positive and realized this is going be a great match.
In short the match started off aggressive. I did not abandon
my strategy and I Pulled guard working endlessly for submissions attacks. 6
minutes passed matched ended 0-to-0 ANOTHER OVERTIME …Déjà vu… I laughed out loud. This time around we weren’t tired.
Knowing the rules I did the exact same thing eventually with me winning the
fight as the most aggressive fighter. (Manuel
eventually took third due to the other grappler leaving)
As I made my way into my 2nd match against the
fighter from the Mendes bros academy I knew this was gonna be a fight. The guy
was the definition of a individual with no conscience ready to murder anything
in his way ( saw his demeanor through the whole process). With me not having a
coach for a short period of time and at his corner was the oh so great ( I say
that sacarticly btw) Rafael Mendes in his corner it seemed the deck was stacked
against me. The fight did not start off great in my favor as for the first time
ever in a grappling competition (including JUDO) I was thrown…man not good. During
the heated exchange I suddenly got accidental clocked with a knee to the mouth.
Dang this again me tasting my own blood L
instead of fearing it I wiped it on my face and continued to battle on ( n by
the look in rafa’s face he probably was saying to himself “this dude is nuts”).
Colton Smith said it best- We are going go out there, we are going fight and bleed, and I do what I
can to come out on top. A phrase I took going into this.
As I continued to struggle in the battle I begin to hear the
coaching of my teammates helping through it all it made me work harder. Although
I was losing I knew I had to finish this fight strong, I had to see the fight
through to the very end. End results me losing in the finals (got 2nd place). Shook my
opponents hand and congratulated him on the win.
Overall it was another great battle which helped me to
become a better man. A lot of lesson where acquired and this chapter showed me
the true test of my heart which prevailed.
One a side note the teammate who almost had left because the
tournament running late…end up winning his division. Super happy 4 him and my other
teammate (although he didn’t medal) did a sick job and almost went to the
semifinals n a great match.
It always funny how people advice quotes tell the story of
my experience, So I will end this blog with a Kyle Stewart line.
“it is not the finish
line that matters but the overall journey to look back on “
