The honor of organizing this year's world kung-fu championship was given to the Persatuan Tai Chi Chuan Negeri Johor school in Malaysia and sanctioned by the World Kuo Shu Federation. Although I am a bit dissapointed to say, it was not a very well organized tournament, but regardless the competition still flowed sufficiently well. There were 6 people in my weight category from 5 countries. Canada, USA, Switzerland, Brazil, and then France. I was lined up for the first bout in my weight class and I was matched up with France.
In my corner was James John Rowan and Sifu Steve Pascoe, some of the best coaches I could have asked for. To be honest, I don't really remember much of what happened during my match with France in full detail, but what I DO remember is that during the first round he caught me with a few clean front kicks to the chest, then I got full knee swing to the groin... Funny thing is that I didn't drop like a "sack of potatoes". Instead it was a slow yet very painful "Zing" crawling from my genitals all the way up through my spine to the back of my head. He got cornered, I was given time to recuperate, he got penalized and we continued. Soon after we had started, I got pushed off the platform and he was awarded 3 points for doing so. By then, there were no doubts that he had taken that round. The fight went on for a bit longer and then the bell rang ending the first round. I went back to sit in my corner and immediately my coaches jumped in front of me trying to keep me in focus. I remember trying to peak at the other corner to see how my opponent was doing but Sifu Steve continuously moved his head to block my vision, and telling me to focus my attention to him. I remember him telling me I'm getting caught too often by his front kick and making me say out loud a combination of strikes that would be effective on my opponent. Ask me now, I'll have no idea what it was...too many knocks to the head makes you forget things. During that time James was doing an amazing job trying to cool my body down and ready for the second round. I didn't even have to worry or ask for anything...it simply just happened like a motor race mechanic would fix a race car up within seconds to send it back on the race tracks. I can't remember what the judges call was as I didn't pay much attention to it, but I believe it was a split decision for my opponent.
I didn't stress much about losing the first round as I now have an idea of how he fights. I knew what to do with the help of my corner and I was calm and ready for my return. The bell rang to start the second round, I ran to my start position, and the ref called it a GO! I was more patient this time, letting him move first. I knew what he would do now...waiting for that front kick. He struts slowly forward trying to bridge the gap...THERE IT IS! HE LEAPS FORWARD WITH A FRONT KICK!! I jump back to dodge the front kick and quickly spring forward to answer back with a right then left hook. IT WORKS! He then quickly moves out of reach and regains composure. He knows that I know...He switches strategy and jumps forward to gap the bridge throwing a jab instead. I bob and weave away from his strikes unfortunately not escaping his following combination but at the same time I retaliate. I don't remember much of what happens here...we somehow end up in a clinch and I throw 2 knees front and side both landing on my opponent. This time he gets a knee to the genitals and drops. I get cornered and he gets time to recuperate, and we continue the round. Ref calls us back to our start position, gets us ready...and GO! I leap forward as he moves back to anticipate my bridge attempt but as i move forward i throw a low sweep to the ankle and he literally flies off balance (to my fellow crane brothers "Her Sing Chow" never fails). Ref resets us from position which gives me the upper hand as he is now by the edge of the platform. I quickly move in and throw him off. That round was now mine. I take my time...ease off being the aggressor and just let the time run out. It worked perfectly as the bell rang within seconds and I return to my corner. Again my corner did an amazing job being there for me. Sifu Steve's experience gave me my edge, while James knowledge on human body restoration kept me going. Judges call...unanimous decision for me...Bell rang calling an end to our break and the start to the third round.
Third round was a mess. Both my opponent and I, were exhausted. It was clearly visible, we were both less engaging as our previous rounds, throwing more haymakers at each other, less techniques, our pace slowed down, and obvious mistakes happened but none of us took the opportunity on the other. I knew i couldn't give my 200% on this round as my next fight should I win, would have to be against Brazil who was lucky enough to get a free pass, which MEANS... he is STILL fresh, he is warmed up, and he is at a 100% physical and mental state. By this time, I just wanted to accumulate the points and perhaps take the advantage when he reaches the edge of the platform. I then decided i would go for a fake front kick and twist my hips into a round house towards my opponents head...I know it works as i have successfully thrown that combination during practice before. What i did not anticipate was my opponent to leap forward as i raised my foot for the front kick which once again landed on his genitals...Not to worry... it wasn't a hard strike as it was meant to be a fake. He quickly recuperated but i still was penalized 3 points. We got the go to continue, we both clashed together and within seconds the bell rang ending our bout. I went back to sit at my corner waiting for the judges call... It was a split decision for France. Even WITH my penalty I still had 2 judges vote the fight in my favor...should i had not been penalized for that kick, the fight would've been mine...or at least that's what I've been told by several other officials, competitors, and spectators. We were called back on the platform and my opponent was announced the winner of our match. It was unfortunate, but it is what it is.
France went on to win Gold as the Swiss competitor forfeited due to an injury from his previous fight, which puts Switzerland second and Brazil Third and Fourth as they had two competitors in the same weight class.
I forgot to mention the immense amount of sportsmanship we had during our fight. Each end of the round we hugged it out, not once did we get emotional towards the other, we always apologized when at fault, and we always showed great respect to one another at all times. He was a great fighter, but overall a great guy, which makes me feel less bad for losing to such a great human being.
Although my loss wasn't truly a "loss", it gave me the opportunity to support my team during their performance, meet and make new friends with some of the most outstanding people at the tournament, the opportunity to watch some of the greatest martial artist perform hands and weapons forms, have the time to visit an amazing country, and just overall have some of the most unique experience someone my age could ever ask for.
So once again, I'd like to thank everyone that has supported me up to this point, thank you for this once in a lifetime experience. You have my undying gratitude and I promise never to forget it. I promise not to disappoint any of you on my next fight, so until next time.
I didn't stress much about losing the first round as I now have an idea of how he fights. I knew what to do with the help of my corner and I was calm and ready for my return. The bell rang to start the second round, I ran to my start position, and the ref called it a GO! I was more patient this time, letting him move first. I knew what he would do now...waiting for that front kick. He struts slowly forward trying to bridge the gap...THERE IT IS! HE LEAPS FORWARD WITH A FRONT KICK!! I jump back to dodge the front kick and quickly spring forward to answer back with a right then left hook. IT WORKS! He then quickly moves out of reach and regains composure. He knows that I know...He switches strategy and jumps forward to gap the bridge throwing a jab instead. I bob and weave away from his strikes unfortunately not escaping his following combination but at the same time I retaliate. I don't remember much of what happens here...we somehow end up in a clinch and I throw 2 knees front and side both landing on my opponent. This time he gets a knee to the genitals and drops. I get cornered and he gets time to recuperate, and we continue the round. Ref calls us back to our start position, gets us ready...and GO! I leap forward as he moves back to anticipate my bridge attempt but as i move forward i throw a low sweep to the ankle and he literally flies off balance (to my fellow crane brothers "Her Sing Chow" never fails). Ref resets us from position which gives me the upper hand as he is now by the edge of the platform. I quickly move in and throw him off. That round was now mine. I take my time...ease off being the aggressor and just let the time run out. It worked perfectly as the bell rang within seconds and I return to my corner. Again my corner did an amazing job being there for me. Sifu Steve's experience gave me my edge, while James knowledge on human body restoration kept me going. Judges call...unanimous decision for me...Bell rang calling an end to our break and the start to the third round.
Third round was a mess. Both my opponent and I, were exhausted. It was clearly visible, we were both less engaging as our previous rounds, throwing more haymakers at each other, less techniques, our pace slowed down, and obvious mistakes happened but none of us took the opportunity on the other. I knew i couldn't give my 200% on this round as my next fight should I win, would have to be against Brazil who was lucky enough to get a free pass, which MEANS... he is STILL fresh, he is warmed up, and he is at a 100% physical and mental state. By this time, I just wanted to accumulate the points and perhaps take the advantage when he reaches the edge of the platform. I then decided i would go for a fake front kick and twist my hips into a round house towards my opponents head...I know it works as i have successfully thrown that combination during practice before. What i did not anticipate was my opponent to leap forward as i raised my foot for the front kick which once again landed on his genitals...Not to worry... it wasn't a hard strike as it was meant to be a fake. He quickly recuperated but i still was penalized 3 points. We got the go to continue, we both clashed together and within seconds the bell rang ending our bout. I went back to sit at my corner waiting for the judges call... It was a split decision for France. Even WITH my penalty I still had 2 judges vote the fight in my favor...should i had not been penalized for that kick, the fight would've been mine...or at least that's what I've been told by several other officials, competitors, and spectators. We were called back on the platform and my opponent was announced the winner of our match. It was unfortunate, but it is what it is.
France went on to win Gold as the Swiss competitor forfeited due to an injury from his previous fight, which puts Switzerland second and Brazil Third and Fourth as they had two competitors in the same weight class.
I forgot to mention the immense amount of sportsmanship we had during our fight. Each end of the round we hugged it out, not once did we get emotional towards the other, we always apologized when at fault, and we always showed great respect to one another at all times. He was a great fighter, but overall a great guy, which makes me feel less bad for losing to such a great human being.
Although my loss wasn't truly a "loss", it gave me the opportunity to support my team during their performance, meet and make new friends with some of the most outstanding people at the tournament, the opportunity to watch some of the greatest martial artist perform hands and weapons forms, have the time to visit an amazing country, and just overall have some of the most unique experience someone my age could ever ask for.
So once again, I'd like to thank everyone that has supported me up to this point, thank you for this once in a lifetime experience. You have my undying gratitude and I promise never to forget it. I promise not to disappoint any of you on my next fight, so until next time.
