This past Sunday was the Saitama Prefecture Wadokai Championships which saw 7 different Wadokai clubs and just over 300 competitors vying for top spot. As usual, I entered both kata and kumite but this time around, there was more on the line than just winning or losing. I had made it my personal karate goal to receive some kind of award from a tournament before my internship was officially over (despite the fact that I'm still here for another 9 months). And, seeing as my internship officially ends July 17th, this was my last shot at accomplishing the goal.
It didn't help that in my kata division run in the morning there were only 7 people. In Japan, large divisions usually see the Top 8 be awarded with certificates and the best 3 with medals. This time around, with only 7 people, I had to place 2nd or higher.
And that's how this ties in. I extremely happy to say I came in 2nd place, otherwise known as "junyuushou", or "semi-champion". Aside from just accomplishing my goal, I had begun to think I wasn't getting enough done in my time here and this was a really nice way of proving to myself that I managed to improve at least a little bit haha......
But I still have much left to do though, as my kumite ended in the first round with a 4-2 loss. Despite that, I've gradually felt more at ease with being in the ring so with time, that will come as well.
The day ended off with yet another big "congratulations on a job well done" party which was also Carl and Amy's welcome party. Lots of food, drink, and laughs was a great way to cap off a good day's effort.
And effort I'll need considering the next tournament I'm entered in is the World Wadokai Championships this Aug 21-23......... although kata only this time haha.....
Also, Amy, as it turns out, studied photography and was kind enough to spend the tournament scooting around on the floor snapping photos of everyone. She was also kind enough to send lots of me being rather unphotogenic during my kumite match......... but I've picked a few least-unphotogenic ones to put up here haha...... enjoy!
Give...
... and take...
