Organizing Championship 2.0

Today will be the day that I'll be organizing a championship for my students for the first time. I have thought of it for awhile and this time I actually take the bull by the horns and get it done. I've done the groundwork, get all the work done and today will be the day that determine my competency level.

I've targeted 100 participants and now I have slightly more than 70 participants, almost 30 short of my target. Nevertheless, the show must go on and I have my finger-crossed.

I'll post the outcome here.

Wish me luck people.

LET'S DO IT BABY!!!!

MSSS 2011

This year MSSS was held in Kuala Selangor. I started my journey there from home at 6 am adn went to pick my students an left for Kuala Selangor at 6.30 am. The last time that I've gone to Kuala Selangor was more than 10 years ago, so I have no idea how to go there. One of my students gave me the direction the other there but I still not confident enough. Anyway, I use the highway and followed the road sign all the way. It was quite a long journey and it took me more than an hour to reach there.

Once arrived, I told my students to settle down while I look at the bout chart. Copying my students bout number and all, then I go and meet up with them. All these while I have not had anything to eat yet. The organizer called for team manager meeting and I went down to the ring for briefing.

At 9.00 am, the MSSS began. Those involved in Poomsae will get ready in Ring A while gyorugi students will have to wait for the bout number. My first student who competing is bout number 10 in ring C and another suppose to be bout 12 in Ring E. Nevertheless, all went for warm up and stretching to get their 'engine' started. When Ring C was on bout 5, my student will have to get fully ready in gear and wait near Ring C.

Then all of the sudden my student name was called from Ring E for bout 4A. We were stunned and get all the gear and ran to the ring to show that he was here otherwise he would be disqualified. I got him suit up in the ring. He was neither warmed-up or ready to fight. He went in and fought. He lost. He was frustrated. I was frustrated. I went to the secretariat table to protest. They told be it was in the new bout chart. I demanded them to show me the 'new' bout chart. They showed me and there wasn't any bout number 4A. I then demanded an explaination and at this time the organizing chairman came and ask me what's the problem. I explained to him the unfairness of changes the bout without informing beforehand. He apologized but I couldn't accept it. This in UNFAIR. But there was nothing I can do about it.

Then came bout 10, another student went in and fight. He didn't fight as he fight in class. Probably anxiety and nervousness. He lost 2-1. Close fight, though.

The poomsae event was on-going. My students next fight was a long way to go. Bout 41, 51 and 52. Watching my students did the poomsae. After that all of them came back up to the stand. Waiting for the judges to tabulate the result for qualification to finals. Results out, 4 out of 8 students made it to the finals. The organizer decided to combine the male and female due to low number of participants. In the finals, the participants will require to perform their poomsae one-by-one.

By 12.30pm, the tournament stopped for opening ceremony. Speech after speech by the VIPs and the tired participants and coaches listened and falling asleep one-by-one. Once the opening was done, it was lunch time and competition will resume at 2 pm.

At 2.30 pm, the results of the poomsae event was announced. All of my students went our for lunch and yet to return so they were unable to collect their medals. The officials passed the medals and results to me. Once they return from lunch, I presented the medals to winners with unexpected response from them. It was quite an unexpected result. Nevertheless I still happy.

We continue to wait for the next bout and after more than 2 hours, it's their time to get ready to get into the ring. We done enough warm-up and kicking. One went in and fought. After a close contested match, there was no score of both side. So sudden death was needed to determine the winner. Still scoreless. Finally it's time for the judges to decide the winner. My student won. Quarter-final.

Later another student turn to fight. His opponent was taller than him, he was a bit worried and I tried my best to encourage him. He went into the ring and fought. His opponent was a bit scare as my student have power in his kicks but after he got kicked to the head, he kinda lost it. I tried to motivate him during the break. His opponent was much more superior due to being more experience. My student lost. Still I was happy with his performance.

Next the quarterfinal match, my student concern that his opponent was taller. I motivated him and he went into the ring and fought. He tried to get his head but got kicked on his head instead.

Scoreline after 1st round was 7-0. After the break he went in and fought more aggressively and the tie was 2-2 but he lost 9-2. Still it was a good fight.

It was a really good experience for my students in this competition as this is an eye opener for them. There were good fighters as well as bad fighter. What they lost was only lack of experience and this competition is a good platform for them to gain experience.

All in all I was proud of you guys no matter what the results. For me, the result is secondary, the important thing is your performance.

WELL DONE, YOU GUYS !!!