Not only did I have to worry about my training but also about making weight. My normal walking weight is about 160 lbs but when I first started training I weighed at 167 lbs and I had to get below 154.3 lbs. My meals for the last two months were on average 1200 Calories a day. My meal plan consisted of:
9 AM - Breakfast: Yogurt (100 Cal)
12 PM - Lunch: Cold Cut Meat & Cheese Wrap (400 Cal)
5:30 PM - Snack: Protein Drink (125 Cal)
9PM - Dinner: Chicken Breast Dinner (500 Cal)
On the day before the weight in, I completely cut off my water intake and ate within my caloric range with my last meal being at 7 PM. I weighed 155 lbs when we arrived at our Hotel in Baltimore. My Coach and close friend, James Rowan, and I had planned to go to the Hotel's Gym, put me in a sweat suit and run on the thread mill for a good 30 minutes, went to sleep and woke up at 152.2 lbs on my digital scale. The weight in time was 2:30 PM this year so I had to restrain myself from eating or drinking until then. To keep my mind off my thirst and hunger, my coach and I went shopping LOL! It actually worked! I had a great time until the weight in and when it was finally weight time, I officially weighed in at 151 lbs! Within the hour I ate and drank back 4 lbs and by the end of the day I was at 157 lbs. One thing I learned about cutting/losing weight is that you are going to feel hungry...ALL THE TIME! Fight the hunger, drink tea or simply just keep your mind busy on something else. You can also lose a lot of the weight quickly by using sweat suits but be sure to do your research or have a professional monitor you as you lose the water weight. It can be pretty dangerous if you don't know what you're doing.
My workout routine increased from 3 days a week with an avg. of 2 hours per session to 6 days a week with an avg. of 4 hours per session 4 months prior to the tournament. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays were my weight training days. Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays were my cardio and sparring days. I also learned from the vigorous training that I should have given myself a week of rest somewhere in that 4 Months... 2 weeks prior the tournament, my body completely tensed up and was no longer able to move my neck, shoulders, and lower back. It took me a little over 1 week and a half to almost fully recover with 2 one hour session with an RMT and lots of doing nothing.
Finally on Fight day, I was fight number 2 on the list against Christian Geer. We fought around 2:30 PM last Saturday. It started off very well for me as I knocked down my opponent within 15 seconds of the first round with a right hook. I won that fight by 3 knock downs on the first round. I went on to fight an amazing Hungar practitioner from Switzerland, Alexander Klug, an excellent offensive fighter with great hand combinations. He caught me with some strong punches which took me out of my game and into swings (which is a big no no for those who doesn't know). I managed to hold my own and retaliate back with low sweep and hand combinations. When the first round ended the judges gave the fight to me. By half of round 2 my opponent gave up. Not sure why... I thought he was injured but it couldn't be as he won his next fight for Bronze. My last Fight of the day was for Gold. I went up against Luis Padilla from Philly. Also a great Wing Chung/ Boxer practitioner with awesome core movements. As it was told to me by many of the Viewers, Judges, and officials, that was the fight of the night. I won by the second round by judges decision. First round was voted 4 to 1 for me and the second round was 3 to 2 for me as well, putting me in 1st place. That last round was a tough decision and it could have gone either way, but I believe the push I gave to my opponent off the platform gave me a small advantage. I would not have been surprised if it went for a 3rd round, but it is what it is.
The following day at the Banquet, I was awarded Male Lei Tai Competitor of the year for my accomplishment last year at the tournament. It was a privilege and honor for me to accept such an award, something I never imagine I would have achieved.
That being said, I have done way more than I had originally set out to accomplish and therefore it is time for me to move on. I have decided to retire from competing in Lei Tai and move on to other things. Maybe compete in forms or weapons, coach future Lei Tai fighters, or perhaps even become an official Lei Tai referee. Not quite sure yet.
This tournament has to be some of the biggest, most amazingly well organized tournament I have ever had the chance of participating in. I also met some amazing people at this tournament, some of which I hope never to lose touch with. All of the Lei Tai competitors I had the chance to match up with or meet at this tournament were all exceptional people. Friendly, great sportsmanship, humble, and overall great athletes. None were sore losers or winners.
I'd like to first thank everyone who has given me their support this year.
Abigail Ocreto - My Girlfriend, My better half, my guide. Thank you for putting up with my shenanigans, my crazy schedule, and my obsessions. Without your constant nagging about my eating habits and continuous doubts about the quality of my training, I would not have made the weight cut in time or been as prepared for this tournament.
Grand Master Augustin Ngu - My Teacher, my mentor, and my father. Thank you for the valuable lessons you have taught me throughout the years, whether it's about kung-fu, sparring, life, finances, and even philosophy.
James John Rowan - My Coach, my work out partner and last but not least, one of my closest friends. Your unending motivation and support got me to where I am today. You have endlessly tested my limits and because of that you play a big part in where I am today.
Ryan Pryslak - My Equipment Manager, my personal RMT, and my backup support - Without your reliability, diligence, and continuous support, I would not have been in the state of mind I would have been during the competition... Same goes for my body lol!
All Masters Crew - My home team, my family, and my stronghold - Thank you for all the love and support you all sent my way, for helping me getting ready for this tourney, and for lending me your mind and bodies when I needed to train.
Thank you EVERYONE for the amazing opportunities :)
I'd like to first thank everyone who has given me their support this year.
Abigail Ocreto - My Girlfriend, My better half, my guide. Thank you for putting up with my shenanigans, my crazy schedule, and my obsessions. Without your constant nagging about my eating habits and continuous doubts about the quality of my training, I would not have made the weight cut in time or been as prepared for this tournament.
Grand Master Augustin Ngu - My Teacher, my mentor, and my father. Thank you for the valuable lessons you have taught me throughout the years, whether it's about kung-fu, sparring, life, finances, and even philosophy.
James John Rowan - My Coach, my work out partner and last but not least, one of my closest friends. Your unending motivation and support got me to where I am today. You have endlessly tested my limits and because of that you play a big part in where I am today.
Ryan Pryslak - My Equipment Manager, my personal RMT, and my backup support - Without your reliability, diligence, and continuous support, I would not have been in the state of mind I would have been during the competition... Same goes for my body lol!
All Masters Crew - My home team, my family, and my stronghold - Thank you for all the love and support you all sent my way, for helping me getting ready for this tourney, and for lending me your mind and bodies when I needed to train.
Thank you EVERYONE for the amazing opportunities :)
