To compete, or not to compete… that is the question? I’ve struggled with this question on more than one occasion as an older student of the art, and I will tell you testing your game against an unknown opponent going full speed will give you the immediate feedback to application you’re searching for. You will never know what you’re made of until you put your game to the test.
Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth.” ~Mike Tyson
I received my second stripe on my purple belt from my coaches at Zen Martial Arts El Paso, Texas on Sept. 11, 2020. A day that brings back a lot of memories for a service member. I was humbled and never expect the promotions I receive in Jiu-jitsu because no matter how good you are there is always someone around the corner to knocks the chip off your shoulder. Knowing the inevitability of receiving a lesson of humility, I decided to try my luck at the next tournament and compete alongside my teammates.
Inspiration
I competed in the Desert Jiu-jitsu Championships in El Paso, Texas in the Purple Belt, 190lbs, Gi and NO-Gi divisions. I was at my best going into the tournament, but was outperformed by my opponent at the end of the day. The format was submission only and even thought there was only two of us in our division, we put in around 35 minutes of our best on the mats looking to see whose game was superior. Leonard Ellison, purple belt, competing under One Jiu-jitsu, took the gold, which was well earned and hard fought. I left with the consolation silver for second place and the life experience to closeout my day.
In the end, I trained hard, was at the top of my game, and in the best shape of my life for my match. I left it all on the mats and was proud of my performance. There will be many more tournaments in my future, and I know this experience is a building block for the victories I know will come in my future.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears looms but the horror of the shade And yet the menace of the years finds and shall find me unafraid It matters not how strait the gate how charged with punishments the scroll I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” ~Invictus
Win or Learn
Although I lost my matches, I walked away from the experience a better version of myself. I proved I had a lot of fight in me and I could hang at my division. Grandmaster Carlos Gracie Sr., red belt and one of the primary founders of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, once said “there is no losing in Jiu-jitsu, there is only winning and learning.” I am never afraid of losing in a tournament, I’m only afraid of facing the regret of not trying to test myself when the opportunity presents itself. If you don’t test yourself when you can, you cannot ask your teammates to do the same. Diversity is extremely important as a martial arts practitioner.
Don’t fear losing. Fear not trying… Competing is simply a chance to test your skills against other individuals training on different teams.” ~Professor Tom DeBlass
https://www.jiujitsutimes.com/ask-deblass-the-most-important-moment-in-your-competitive-life-is-now/
Diversity is the fastest way to growth in any organization. The same rules apply to martial arts. If you want to be a well-rounded grappler, it’s important to evolve your game holistically, and study all aspects of the art.
The two most common reasons individuals start their martial arts journey is to learn self-defense and to get into shape. However, once our newbie practitioners drink the Koolaid, the possibilities are endless. For this reason, it’s very important for coaches to be well versed in the different aspects of competitive grappling, self-defense, and Gi and No-Gi styles.
It’s unwise to expect from others what you yourself are unwilling to do yourself. I want my kids to explore all aspects of life they are interested in and my wife and I do our best to walk through as many doors as possible. I look forward to the days my kids are going for the gold and I’m coaching them through the match. The thought of my kids competing alone, pushes me to get as much experience as I can to help them to accomplish their dreams… whatever they may be. One team, one family!