So it's 7:22am on June 2 and I'm sitting on a ferry heading to Vancouver for a BJJ tournament. I, personally, have already gone for a run with my little dog Rhino - who performed a disappearing act at 5am - and am anticipating a long day of the hurry up and wait game. What I can't stop thinking about is what my first tournament was like...
Again we took the 7am ferry to Vancouver and drove to the gymnasium hosting the event. It was October 2005 and I had entered in the kickboxing (continuous sparring, as they called it) as well as grappling events. I didn't know what to expect and upon entry couldn't stop people watching. There were people yelling KIA's during katas, others wielding swords and num chucks, and the occasional few large men strutting around with no shirt on for hours on end; it was a lot to take in.
After sitting for nearly 4 hours my division was finally called. I don't remember exactly but I think there were 4 girls in my division: Women's continuous sparring 135lbs+. I remember putting on my coach's big 16oz gloves and his old worn headgear, and of course my $3 mouthguard. The ref has us step forward and signals us to start. That first match was simultaneously the longest and shortest 120 sec of my life. I'm pretty sure there was no thought process other than, "keep hitting her more than she's hitting you!"
At the end of the match my hand was raised and I went on to win my next match and take home the gold medal. All that waiting on ferries, in cars, and on bleachers came down to 4mins of pure spaz.
Directly after kickboxing my grappling division was called. There were 2 other girls and we did a round robin. I went on to win both my matches and take home a second gold medal.
What's better is the ZUMA team left with everyone getting at least one medal (although I can't remember what colour they were). We took the 9pm ferry back to Victoria. The entire day was exhilarating and exhausting; I felt proud of myself; I felt I made Adam proud; I won gold. I mean who doesn't like winning?
I'm hoping the tournament today results in similar feelings of accomplishment. We don't have a huge team competing today, but I'm excited for everyone heading over: especially my BJJ kids. This tournament will be the first time I've had 5 children competing and I couldn't be more proud of the work they've put in. They all have such great attitudes and I'm looking forward to their faces of elation as they step on the mats for the first time.
Thank you to the ZUMA team and Adam Zugec for all the time put in getting me to this point. Who would have thought I'd end up coaching 6-11 year olds and bringing them to their first BJJ tournament!
