Everyone comes out a winner that is what they
say when it comes to competition. For most individuals tournaments are used as
a vehicle to challenge themselves, while some use it as a vehicle toward an
aspired athletic goal the sport has to offer them. How ever you want to look at it
Experience, knowledge, and memories are the everlasting gain from each event
you encounter on the mat and even in Life.Since the majority of you already know why I compete and what my goal is it’s no need to go through the same story...So let get straight to it. (if u dont know feel free to ask)
This past Saturday launched my return to competition at the Round Robin style "Dream Jiu-jitsu" tournament. After all the up and downs that has happen since February off the mat being back in action I felt nervous but eager to say the least.
The goal of "Being a Better Man Than I Once Was" was already embedded going in so it was no serious mental prep I need to go over...it was just mostly visualizing the game I was going to play to see me through the battle.
I had 4 other game competitor in my division ( 5 grand total) so during that day I had 4 really good fights. This really helped with the goal.
Match 1- went against a kid from new breed. I Was every active throughout the whole fight with my guard passing until 30 seconds left of the clock I got swept and lost the fight 2-0..I was a little frustrated with myself that I made a dumb mistake that cost me the fight...but hey guess it was a case of trial & error that befalled on me during the moment.
As I sat there on the sidelines DOUBT began to slip into my mind about my ability to at least do better in my other 3 matches. Then with a little help from Sensei Dartian (xande's friend) and old teammate Steve Cardenas ( Rocky the Red Ranger - had to mention that-) I was able to get a little back into the game. The deal breaker was when I thought about a blog I read from my friend Thomas Craig where he spoke about not focusing on the past and live in the present. At that moment my head got back on straight and I began focusing on my next match which I had plans on doing much better.
Match 2- I
was more focused than ever. Putting the past lost behind me within less than a
minute I was able to establish the mount and cross choke him for the victory. (
xande sure would have been proud of that ). Helped my opponent up.. thanked him
for the fight and began to focus on the next encounter.
Match 3- Sometimes
I ask myself why do things happen to me and in match 3 I had me feeling that
same state. Due to an unfortunate injury of one of the competitors in my
division (really hope he is back on the mats training). Thinking I was left
with no opponent a fresh alternate competitor put his gi on the finish his teammates’
last fight. There was a part of me like dang that not fair (just cuz I already fought
twice and he was fresh)…however a major part of me was ready for the challenge
and even respected the guy for stepping up for his fallen teammate which is a
trait I highly admire from anyone.
The match was by far my
favorite that day just because how energetic it was. With my active use to the
guard/open and him going for nice double legs. The end result was 5-0.
Match 4- In
this match I had the motive of finishing off the day strong and boy did I ever finishing
my last fight in less than a minute by Darce choke.
With me finishing my matches
the day was done for me and the rest of my opponents in the division. However
there was a slight problem.
3 out of the 5 opponents had
three wins and 1 loss under their record at the event. There was a lot of commotion
amongst the coaches and owner at the event. As for me I wasn’t going to argue
over no medal (especially if u saw what the medal looked like) Overall I was
happy with my performance and the great knowledge I got for myself that day, the
medal to me was secondary which was just an extra constellation for what I
achieved that day.
With no proper solution to
the problem, the owner had no choice but to award 3 competitors as the first
place. (no 2nd or 3rd place winners).. aka A lot of us came out a Winner :-) I think thats a first in BJJ history also -haha-
Anyway folks to end this blog
no matter what you do in life never challenge yourself in being better than you
were yesterday.
-monta
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