Hey guys thought I'd fill you in on the martial arts tournament this weekend. It was an international tournament with teams from Venezuela, Puerto Rico (tough team), Brazil (the finest women), Russia, the Netherlands, Egypt. There were other countries but I've forgotten who they were.

The bronze medal was in fighting. I wish I'd gotten gold. But I have to give credit to the competitor from Puerto Rico who eventually won the gold medal. Tough guy. Basically nothing's hurt except my pride although he did knock me down with a good front push kick Oh well
there was nothing to do but to get my ass back up and keep on fighting.

The silver medal was in forms and I had to go against my instructor. He was already the two time East Coast Champ. I think I did well against him although I knew he was going to win. I just wanted to gauge myself against him in competition. So basically I'm nationally ranked number two in the Jow Ga Kung Fu (my style) division and number three in the advanced lightweight mens sparring.

We've got another tournament next week so I'm gonna rest for a couple of days and then it's back to training.
[This message was edited Sun Jul 27 16:23:12 PDT 2003 by NovaAngel]

Congratulations, NovaAngel. What an amazing amount of work and dedication it must've taken to get this far!

AnotherLoverToo said:

Thanks! Yes it does take a lot of work but now that I've seen I'm able to compete and win on such a high level, it just makes me want to train harder. I want gold dammit!

Congrats!

Jim jam jahar! Nice one

Thanks guys. By the way, what's been happening around here? What'd I miss?

Congratz Nova!!! You could probably kick...CHRISTOPHER's ass

pejman said:

Nah brotha after today, I'm definitely never underestimating anyone ever again. Although I wouldn't mind a match with some of the FINE women on the Brazilian team.

Well done!
My little brother competes on a national tournament, here in Australia, so I know how much dedication you must put into it to get to the level you are in.

BITCHIN'!!

Congratulations!!!

Oh man, I talked to my instructor last night. He said he talked to the instructor of the Puerto Rican team. The guy said that he thought the match I had with his guy was great and he invited us to their tournament down in Puerto Rico. I'd LOVE to go.
Also, one of the other Puerto Rican team members wants me and my instructor to compete in a couple of professional kickboxing matches that he's running. It's a tempting offer and I'd have to give it some thought. I'm in my early thirties (close to retirement age for fighters) and don't want to end up permanently hurt (punch drunk). Damn.

conGRATulations! good work

NovaAngel said:

..

go for it dude ..

age aint nothing to do with it
shit i kick all those 20yr olds asses, across the ring
i have found the older i have got the stronger i have got too
admittedly i mumble and can't remember anything for more than 2 seconds
for real though, if you enjoy the competition i say do it while you still can

and remember to keep that chin tucked in and that mouth closed

..
[This message was edited Mon Jul 28 17:47:19 PDT 2003 by youngsoulrebel]

youngsoulrebel said:

I see what you're saying. I admit that it feels good to be able to compete at this level and I guess as long as I stay
healthy, I'll compete. But I also have to be realistic about it. I want to be able to step away from it with all my faculties intact.

By the way, who's the fine woman in your avatar? Nice.
[This message was edited Mon Jul 28 18:56:03 PDT 2003 by NovaAngel]

NovaAngel said:

..

yeah i hear what you are saying, i train 3.5 hours five nights a week,
i run 30km, i spar, jump rope, bag work then on top of all
of that i get in a ring with some blood thirsty sucker for three rounds.

i guess if i hadn't lost my faculties in my childhood i would
be a little bit more protective over them too.

peace brotha

i hope u make the right decision

that fine woman is my girlfriend aka iridescence
now u best close that mouth - but yes she is fine

..
[This message was edited Mon Jul 28 20:41:14 PDT 2003 by youngsoulrebel]