10/06/2011
Hello all. My mom, Sensei Carl, Luke McDonald and I went to the 17th Annual Go Shibata Tournament held at Texas A&M University on October 01, 2011. We left for this tournament at 3a.m. that morning. It took us about 5.5 hours to get there. This tournament is a point tournament. Luke fought first, he had several fights. He fought well. Luke took home a Bronze Medal. I did not have anyone in my age group. So I moved up an age catagory. I was told again to work my weaker grips and use new throws I have been practicing on. I have been winning with certain throws but if I want to become an Olympian I have to have many throws that I am great at. I have to go into any competition and look at my competitor, his style, his weakness and use a different throw each time. I need a “bag” I can reach into for each competitor. So with that in mind I have been working on several new ones. I was happy with my outcome because I did as I was told and did not sway from this even though I know I could have fallen on my usual throws I win with. So I took 2nd in the 15/16 year old division. Okay now that was done I fought next in the men’s division. Again I did what I was told and use new grips and techniques. I was very happy with the way I played. I took home a Gold in this division!! I now have next weekend off and will be training even harder. I may be going to Houston in a week for a 3-day training camp. If not then I will fight in a team tournament in Oklahoma. I will also have a tournament on Octover 22nd to benefit 2 great Texas players who will be playing on the World Cadet Team. For me it is getting closer to the French training camp and Tournament, I am excited. Later. Thank you!!