AAU Team Trials Report

Sunday was a blast, and although I didn’t make the slot on the team, and indeed didn’t even win a match, I’m considering the whole experience as a win because of the level of competition there, and the fact that I fought to the best of my ability that day, and was simply bested by better fighters.

My first fight was against the national champion featherweight. I had studied tapes of his prior fights closely and refused to fall prey to his blinding fast lead leg, which I had seen him land on so many fighters before me as they waded in for the point. Consequently, the match was tense as both of us waited for the other to attack. The first round went scoreless, and now first fight jitters were gone and I could relax into the day. The second round saw some fast exchanges thrown, and although I slipped most all of his shots, he managed to clip me with a roundhouse which cut me under my left eye for two points. By the end of it I was down 4-0 and he got the win.

My second fight was my hardest. I managed to hold my own and fire back shots, but I felt very --- flat --- and not at all myself. My timing was a touch off, and he was a skilled feinter with a great roundhouse and solid jump spin side (back kick). I landed one axe kick to the body as he leaned his head out of range, but no point registered. I even ended up with a negative score at the end, which means if I had not even fought I would have scored more points than I did. But seriously, he was a smooth fighter and I was having an off day, and you know where that leads you.

I felt better on my third fight, against the national team member. He had beaten the guy I fought in my second fight, and would go on to beat the guy I fought first, and I’m assuming he kept his spot as AAU’s featherweight team member. I again was able to nullify most of his attacks and slip the rest, but he did land a couple of good doubles (roundhouses) to the trunk and won 3-0.

Looking back on the day as a whole, although I felt flat and my timing a little off, as I said, I’m largely pleased with the experience. It was an elite tournament with some of the best Taekwondo fighters I’ve ever seen. My emphasis on conditioning paid off, as I never felt out of gas at any point. At this level the margin for victory is very slim, and it is a joy to fight such high level players. It was interesting to note how any tension or nervousness melted away as soon as I stepped into the ring, and in reviewing the tape, I didn’t look as bad as I thought I would. I have countless tapes of myself winning, but not so many of myself losing, and if you think about it, which is worth more?

My wife Christie was invaluable, and did a fantastic job shooting the whole day. Thanks to her. Vegas was fun as always. I’ve got some great new drills to work in class. I’ll post pictures here soon.