My First 1st Placing in National All Styles Round 4

[iceman (Mike)]

I competed in another tournament on Saturday - this time an internal BBMA tournament for all students in the club. Over 300 competitors of all ages and in all divisions.

I was fortunate enough to follow up my win in the previous tournament with another win in this one - taking out my division (4th-1st Kyu < 75kg) in the Point Sparring.

I also came 3rd in the Open Division < 75kg Point Sparring, which I'm most proud of - as I beat a 3rd Dan Black Belt and a Sensei to take 3rd place.

Videos and more here:
Results from the BBMA Intramural Tournament

Thanks for looking.

[troypiggo (Troy)]

Congratulations again! No mean feat beating 3rd Dans. I remember watching a 4th Dan spar with a 1st Dan (not in a comp). It was all quite friendly until the 1st Dan took down the 4th. Then the 4th Dan decided to up the ante and totally unloaded on the 1st Dan who had been crapping his pants since realising what he'd done just a few seconds before

[BerrieK]

Well congratulations again Mike! You can't win these things without deserving to.

My 10 year old competed in a Belt challenge tournament at Dubbo a few weeks ago. Apart from watching our own kids compete, the most exciting part of the day was watching the black belts compete in point sparring at the end of the day. Wow.

So well done you; hope that your thumb is okay.

Kerrie

[dpastern (Dave Pastern)]

Congrats again Mike - I'll check the vids out tonight when I get home (I'm still @ work).

Dave

[Matt Wastell (Matt)]

Well done....sir!
Happy 5 year anniversary too!
Its great to see you striking a blow .....and I mean this with great respect to all....for nerds.

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Is there anything this man cannot do?

At least we will not need to worry about security at IISAC this year.

Mate, you look very relaxed and flexible as others have commented. I know it was a different discipline, but as Mohammed Ali would say, you seemed to "float like a butterfly, but sting like a bee". In the two clips I watched from the Ryde event, you seemed a lot more fit and active than your opponents, and whilst you seemed generally to respond to the attack moves of others, in most instances it seemed, like Daniel-son, that you waited for the chink in the armour to open, and then pounced. Very inspiring stuff.

[Outbackmanyep]

Well done Mike!

I was gonna say....people be warned! Don't nick his stuff at IISAC!

[Robh (Rob)]

Mike,

Great to see the progression.
Nice fluid movement and anticipation.

Regards, Rob

[Steve Heaton (Steve)]

Great to hear, my two boys (7 & 11) both do Kenseikan and the benefit they get out of Karate is just brilliant and can thoroughly recommend it. What allways amazes me is how you can remember all the different kata. We are off to Tamworth this weekend for country titles to prep for the world titles next year.

[iceman (Mike)]

Thanks for your comments.
I'm happy that the progress is continuing - I don't feel even close to plateauing yet. I know there's still so much to learn and as my flexibility, confidence and strength continues to improve it will open up more options.

I know that as I continue to prepare for my black belt grading (which is at the end of next year) it should hopefully take me to the next level.

Originally Posted by troypiggo

Congratulations again! No mean feat beating 3rd Dans. I remember watching a 4th Dan spar with a 1st Dan (not in a comp). It was all quite friendly until the 1st Dan took down the 4th. Then the 4th Dan decided to up the ante and totally unloaded on the 1st Dan who had been crapping his pants since realising what he'd done just a few seconds before

Thanks!
LOL yeh, I asked a 2nd dan black belt for advice, and he suggested that if I can get my opponent angry, it will take him off his game. So trying to score first was definitely a strategy for me - and I was able to control the distance more and not get sucked into the anticipation game.

Originally Posted by BerrieK

Well congratulations again Mike! You can't win these things without deserving to.

My 10 year old competed in a Belt challenge tournament at Dubbo a few weeks ago. Apart from watching our own kids compete, the most exciting part of the day was watching the black belts compete in point sparring at the end of the day. Wow.

So well done you; hope that your thumb is okay.

Kerrie

Many thanks Kerrie! How did your 10 yr old go? They can be quite exciting events to watch, that's for sure. It must feel awful seeing your child get hit or kicked though
My thumb is more pink than black now, which is good

Originally Posted by Steve Heaton

Great to hear, my two boys (7 & 11) both do Kenseikan and the benefit they get out of Karate is just brilliant and can thoroughly recommend it. What allways amazes me is how you can remember all the different kata. We are off to Tamworth this weekend for country titles to prep for the world titles next year.

Thanks Steve, and good luck to you and your boys!

I agree that kids can get a lot out of practising a martial art. Great for their confidence, strength, discipline and respect.

[BerrieK]

Mike, Ariel my daughter does TaeKwonDo and alas was knocked out (fortunately not literally) after her first fight. But it was still a pleasure to be there for the whole day just for the experience (it was 'our' first tournament - no I'm not being a soccer mum) and to support all the other junoirs, seniors and the big black belt boys and girls. We are only a small club compared to all the others that were there for that comp, but all in all we did really well.

Yes I always watch with my heart in my mouth but rest assured she gives as much as she gets. She has not taken any big kicks to the ribs as yet, thank goodness, as at this stage she guards well. Watching makes me wish I took it up when I was a kid - I know its not too late...in fact Frank my husband has been inspired and started up too. But alas he is away with one of his jobs a lot and so misses out.

Cheers, Kerrie

[multiweb (Marc)]

Congrats Mike. You look way sharper than previous vids. All that training is paying off.

[TrevorW]

I gave up karate nearly 10 years ago (S'hito Ryu) after having my arm broken by a snap kick free sparring with a guy half my age

Thought then it was time to give up

[troypiggo (Troy)]

So that's where the snap kick gets its name...

[TrevorW]

Yes and it was heard throughout the dojo

[troypiggo (Troy)]

Ouchies. I cringe just imaging that sort of thing.