Saturday, July 06, 2002

 
Report from Nationals:
This year's AAU Nationals in Greensboro, NC was the largest one yet with 1,300 competitors. The event was held at the Greensboro Coliseum, a very nice, very large venue. The opening ceremonies were nice, with athletes marched in by state, and surprisingly, Georgia had the largest number of contestants. The opening speech was given by AAU Taekwondo President Mike Friello, who praised the efforts of all the small clubs across the country, noting that Taekwondo is the only sport that has seen continuous growth in each and every year since inclusion (1992) in the AAU (est. 1888), ranks sixth in the country in youth sports, and ranks #1 in Adult sports!

It seems there has been a large migration from the USTU to the AAU (grumblings about politics were heard), and that would explain the quick rise in numbers and the skill level in the Olympic (WTF) style of sparring, with many competitors throwing and landing much more high level techniques, including jump spinning back kicks, doubles, 360 doubles, and even 360 spin sides to the head!

Forms competition came first, though, and I was able to take the top spot out of a large group, winning by 6/10ths of a point, which doesn't sound like much, but is actually quite a lead. I was glad that there wasn't a run-off, because I put everything I had into the first form I did (Gae-Beck), and I wasn't sure I'd be able to do it again at the same level. So, Gold! National Forms Champion.

As for fighting, my division (137-147 lbs--featherweight) was the scrappiest, speediest, tightest division I saw. It was a pretty small division, with less than ten fighters, and with enough weight to have good power, but light enough to be really fast. I had several points of...well, less than good luck. I didn't get either of the two byes (automatic wins for odd-numbered contestants) that were given out, and was chosen to fight first. I felt really good, ready to fight, and fought well, landing side kicks to the face, axe kicks to the head, several punches, jump-spin sides to the body and roundhouses to the body. My opponent landed a crescent to the face and an axe to the head. No injuries. I'll leave it to you to judge by the video, but I thought for sure I had won; but the judges saw differently. Oh well. It was particularly frustrating as I placed fifth, and first through fourth qualified for team trials (AAU National team for international competition).

The Jean Lopez (USA Team Coach) Seminar was good, I'll be giving the nuggets he laid out to my class when I return. Thanks again to everyone for help in training and well-wishing. We'll be home tomorrow.

Jason

posted by J.H.  # 5:17 PM
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