Courage

This past weekend we attended a tournament in Masson/Anger.  Sid brought home a 1st in kata, a 1st in fighting, a second in weapons and a third in synchro.  Like all tournaments, Sid gets geared up and loves to compete / perform.  She trains hard and this is her reward for all her hard work. She makes it look easy but you can see the level of intensity and concentration required.  This weekend was a reminder that martial arts tournaments are about more than just training, they are also about courage and believing in yourself. 

Including Sid, there were only 4 girls in Sid's fighting division and the other three were all from the same school (which shall remain nameless).  The smallest of the three was about a head taller than Sid and the biggest of the three was about 110lbs and almost 5ft tall.  These were 7-9 year old girls.

We stood on the mat to hand in Sid's cards and the other coach came to talk to us.  He looked at Sid and said "Wow, it is too bad they didn't let you fight in a different division."  I just shrugged and said nothing.  Then he added "You know, it isn't really fair that you have to fight these girls.  I have seen you fight, you are a good fighter but this isn't fair."  I was trying to bite my tongue.  He then finished with " Don't worry, if you ever go to the Worlds, you'll fight in your own weight category and you will be great!."  That was it.  I looked at him and said "she has been to the worlds." I took Sid's shoulder and led her to the other side of the mat.  Her eyes had welled up with tears and she said "Mom, I don't want to fight them, they are too big."  The biggest girl, Sid had fought last year at the Martial artist and won.  I pointed that out and told her the coach was just trying to get in her head.  I hugged her and told her she was so good and fast she didn't have to worry.  I reminded her that the entire club was there and behind her and would cheer and support her no matter whether she won or lost.  Sigung came over and spoke to her the way only a Sigung can.  And then the fights began.  She was paired up against the smallest of the three.


Fights go to 5 points as long as each fighter scores one point before someone reaches 3.  If one fighter reaches 3 points and the other hasn't scored it is a win.  Sid won the first fight 3 - 0 to move on to the final.  She had two minutes to regroup then it was the final fight for 1st place against the very big girl.   Sid's teammates were gathered around the mat and everyone was silent as the fight began.  "Believe on yourself" Sigungs words echoed.  "Just move around and throw your techniques".


What a crazy match.  She won and the gym went wild.  Her parents were proud, her club was proud, even the judges and many of the spectators were awestruck.  Most of all, Sid was proud of herself. 
After the fight we went to the canteen to buy some lunch and one of the volunteers who was the organizers son approached Sid and bought her lunch because he was so impressed by her.  I think almost every person in that gym watched that fight.

So when the day was done we all sat back and took a deep breath.  This day was a reminder of the courage and strength our little one carries with her.  Whether she wins or loses, it doesn't matter.  What matters is that she is passionate about her art, she trains with her heart and soul and she believes in herself.  We love watching her grow and develop into the big person she will soon become.