Competition Day

Today was competition day. I showed up at 10am to check in. I met the two guys that were in my weight class and close to my age bracket. When it came time to compete, they paired me up with a guy that is close to 11 years younger than me. I didn't take him very seriously at first. when we tied up, he felt a little weak to me. He pulled guard and tied me up in half guard. I froze and he eventually got the sweep and came up in mount. We were close to the edge of the mat, so the referee had us move to the middle.

I was able to bump him off and ended up in his guard. From there he got me in an armbar and submitted me for the win. Since there was only two of us, we had to go again for a best of 3. This time, time seemed to go by so fast. I was able to hold him off from submitting me, but I did not get off any attacks. He ended up winning on points. A lot of points. I do not recall the total, but I remember my big 0.

I went to the podium to collect to consolation silver metal. I felt so depleted of energy that I didn't want to compete in the no-gi tournament. My teammates talked me into competing in the no-gi. I felt bad that they came all that way and paid to support me.

The no-gi tournament had no age restriction. There was four of us approximately the same weight. My first round was with a very tall lean young man in his late twenties. At the time of this tournament, I was 46 and qualified for the Masters 4 division. I was able to get a double leg takedown, but he ended up with a kimura on my left arm. I was able to hold him off for most of the round but I was using my brute strength agains his long skinny arms. Because I didn't know how to defend against the kimura, I eventually got tired and tapped so I would not get hurt. He was able to inch my arm behind me. I didn't know if I could grab my own shorts, so I didn't grab it to stop him from getting my arm behind me.

I think I tired him out for his first place match. The same guy I lost to in the gi tournament defeated him quick and easily.

My second no-gi match was for the bronze metal. This one I was able to get the takedown and pass his guard. from there, I finished the round trying to choke him while in his half guard. Luckily time ran out before my arms gased out. That win earned me the bronze.

After the tournament I went to dinner with my team. I could not eat much. I actually felt like I could roll some more. My team praised me for having the courage to compete. Little did they now the night before, I signed up for my second tournament in May.