Last September, I competed in adult group 1st degree black belt. This time around, I wanted to challenge myself. I knew this would probably be my last chance to compete seriously since it’s my senior year. So I signed up for the 2nd degree black belt adult group instead. In 2nd degree black belt competition, instead of performing form 8 and Gaoli, I’ll be performing Gaoli and Jingang. Jingang is the form I’m worst at since little. When I was in elementary school, I usually train with older students and our coach just assumed we all know Jingang, so I never had the chance to properly learn it. (I was always intimidated by the session because I was too scared to tell our coach I haven’t learn it yet and had to copy other people’s moves.) Then, when I was in middle and high school, those senior students went on to colleges, leaving me behind with younger kids. The coaches then only focus on more rudimentary forms, so I still didn’t have the chance to learn Jingang. Anyways, what I’m trying to say is that I’m unfamiliar with Jingang and wanted to use this competition as an opportunity to improve my long time drawback. My mom thought I was stupid to compete for something I’m least good at (yeah the results proved I was). But what’s life without taking a little risk?

 

From the last competition, I learned that I need to improve on my rhythms and breathing patterns. So those are what I focused on this time. (My flexibility only got worse btw). Jingang doesn’t have any high kicks, but it requires great steadiness. There are multiple moves where you have to stand on one leg, like you’re trying to impersonate a flamingo, while doing hand movements and try to not shake or lose balance. I honestly spent countless hours during the few weeks before competition trying to perfect my balance. What’s worse is that Jingang comes after Gaoli (where there’s a lot of high side kicks), so I have to steady myself to perform Jingang after being out of breath from finishing Gaoli. Jingang also requires a lot of focus. The second I loss focus, I loss my balance too. While I was training, I only finished both forms, back to back like I’ll be doing in the competition, without major mistakes on the day before the competition.

 

And so here’s how I did in the competition on August 9th, 2020.

I end up getting last place. But because there’s only four of us, I still got the fourth place certificate.

To comfort myself, I was competing against three other people from taekwondo school who literally train daily. I just train once a week. The fact that I still do decent is impressive enough XD. I guess I had too much confidence after the last competition, winning second place against those people from taekwondo school. It didn’t really register in my brain that I’m in a way more competitive group.

Here’s what I improved from last time:

• The overall rhythm of Gaoli is clearer, with a series of moves that are well connected, some fast pace while others are slow and precise. (basically I accomplished the goals I set for myself after my last tournament)
• I actually performed Jingang without falling or turning out of control (consider I only successfully did it two times during training).
• I got higher scores than last tournament. (It’s just that my other three opponents got even higher scores)

Here are my take aways from this competition:

• Being a risk taker is good. But don’t over-estimate yourself when you haven’t have ample practice.
• Should really work on flexibility by stretching everyday.
• Kicks should be more powerful. Rather have more power than aiming high with no power.
• Moves should be cleaner.
• Be MORE FAMILIAR WITH EVERYTHING (cuz i’m competing with people who train every single day)