Let's Fighting Love (Part I)

Before I discuss anything, it's time to promote a great fighter. If you haven't heard of Jayson Grant, you ought to stop what you're doing and check out the link below! He's an undeniably powerful presence in TKD and a man with some goals of his own. Anyhow, I'm sure the site will explain better what I'm failing to articulate here. Point being, support him, buy a shirt or, if you're broke, link this to peole who can!

To the one person reading this blog, go check this out NOW!

Anyhow, here we go. Temperatures dropping, an influx of people walking uphill and my beard is coming in quite nicely. Why, it must be fall! As always is the case with fall, the competition season is picking up.

Thing are going smoothly, and there are plenty of reasons why 2012 has the potential to be a very good year for me:

1) it's the year of the dragon (which I am!),

2) my classes, project and work are all going well (for a change), and

3) I have a set goal for Taekwondo; qualify for the national team in 2015 and make Rio 2016 Olympic status.

Now, let's focus on number three, since I can't really add anything to #1 or #2 (more hair, I guess?) Ever since about 2011, I have been off-and-on with competing/training seminars, due to work/school constraints, lame injuries (I dislocated my left knee-cap, broke a toe, broke two fingers, got a concussion) and an inability to throw my money around. Two of those factors I can control: lame injuries and a tight budget.

For the injuries, I went to a sports doctor, who has given me the okay to compete next month! The icing on the cake: I can finally throw a fully-snapping turning kick without my knee crying, which I haven't been able to do because I'm derpishly training/sparring when I shouldn't be.

It only takes one time of grappling with a polar bear on ice for everything going horribly wrong to ruin your life. In that sense, it's a lot like teen pregnancy.

The other issue, money, is not as easy a fix. What I make from work (still a contractor at Ithaca Milk while I take classes) isn't enough to support my competition plans. I've already missed out on many competitions and training seminars (e.g. I  really, REALLY wanted to go to Jayson Grant's seminar that was held this past weekend, but my payday was a week short :'O) . Where there's a will, however, there's a way.

Very often, I ask myself if this can be done. "Olympics?! Dude, you started seven years ago. There are some people who've done this shit for a full lifetime! Do you really think you can match up against someone good?" To that I say, "why not? Yeah, I started competing late, but now that my body is able, a consistent training schedule, quality instruction and  won't put me in a position to do some serious damage. As my master always says, consistency is the key. There aren't any EOBs (equal or better) here in I-Town, not to toot my own horn, but there's no one who can beat the crap out of me and force me to fight at 100%. Fighting at maximum is a very different feeling and, I'll admit, it's not always the right training method. But, a bizarre fighter's hunger can only be satiated with more fighting.

Geez, I sound like this badass motherfucker.

My goal goes beyond glory: in fact, fuck glory. It makes you complacent and ignorant to the true strengths that lie out there in the world. About a year and a half ago, I gave my old hogu (chest protector) to my young nephew and promised to him that I would make the USAT National Team that year. Unfortunately, I lost in quarter-finals to Philip Yun at Collegiate Nationals 7-10 (my teammate who recorded the match could swear it was 8-10, so I could be wrong, but a loss is a loss, I say).

 

  If you've never seen TKD sparring, here are the point rules.

1 point - body shot (roundhouse kick, punch, cut kick to the body [grrr...])

2 points - spinning body shot (back kick, narabaum/spinning roundhouse kick)

3 points - head shot (any strike to the head with the foot)

4 points - spinning head shot (spinning heel kick, high-section back kick, high-section narabaum)

Oh, and yes, I know this stuff isn't practical in a fight. That's why I practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and boxing as well. Also, stop being an internet tough guy.

Since then, I've wanted to win a major title and a National Team Trials win to give to my nephew, so he can understand that anything IS possible, and that dreams can be deferred but they won't break if you keep them in your heart (I mean...he already has awesome parents who teach him the lesson every day by virtue of being extremely great people and talented musicians). Also, kicking people is great, provided the right context. I won't let the new electronic scoring system stop me. It just means I have to adjust my game to fit in with the new rules.

I'm just glad they got rid of the Fatality rule, nobody was feeling that.

So yes, I'm a relative nobody in the circuit right now. But, with the right consistent training and instruction, that will change. So laugh now, while you can, but I'll be back to show you all! *villainous laughter echoes through the air as I slink away*

*slinks back* Oh, my first competition since April is coming up this month. Exciting!