So on the 6th July 2014, the year I told myself I would do the unexpected.
I did. I competed in my first EVER BJJ competition.
My feelings in a nutshell are pretty much... nerves, feeling sick, worried, whats BJJ... Whats an arm bar... It was awful waking up and thinking, it's my first fight am i actually doing this, I said it in the line for the weigh in and I was getting funny looks! Who can blame them... I am about to compete and I am doubting myself.
I arrived at Surrey Sports Park at 9am, I weighed in at 69KG with my Gi and I watched my fellow team mates who did me so proud, It was then my turn. I listened to my iPod and warmed up, saw my team mates and walked to the mat at approximately 9:53am.
The quickest 53 minutes of my life!
It's a whole blur now, I couldn't type it even if I wanted to its so surreal still although I did my best and its all on YouTube! I now know for next time what I need to do and how it will feel!
I am on at 1 hour and 21 Mins -
http://youtu.be/NCSm0Fcolw8
On this mat you will see all the Mat 6 fights, so the woman category and then purples, browns and super fights! Such a good watch.... WARNING it is 8 hours long!!!
I didn't win but thats okay, I can work harder, train better and go for it next time. This will however be when I drop down to about 64KG! So from my weigh in this morning is about 3.7KG! Do able, but i'm not rushing. My journeys not about the medals thats a goal for another day!
I had the best day with my team mates and I couldn't ask for anymore.
I know me better than anyone and its about learning new things and meeting new people, then I will have milestones in my journey.
My First Fight
My first fight is online!
http://youtu.be/NCSm0Fcolw8
I hope that link worked, She THRASHED me on points something like 1 Advantage, 17 points to nothing I think which was awful but she got me on my back so quick and often I didn't react quick enough but thats a learning curve for the next time!
I did however stay on the WHOLE FIVE MINUETS!
My opponent had been training BJJ for over a year and had done 3 competitions before this one! She said I was a worthy opponent which I thought was the sweetest thing. Us girls are tough on the mats but friendly off them. We had a hug out and she went on to win Bronze so well done Niger!
My Second Fight
ARE YOU AFRAID OF MAT5. NO!!!
I did Mat5 twice, the first time with my team mate Beth!
She won by a choke... And it was an amazing choke to be fair, I tried to hold out but i'm impressing no body going out. Thats not going to happen.
I do have the video, I will try to upload it another time but some of the guys got some photos which I was show you now as I have their permission.
Also loved being refereed by Alex De Souza he was impressed with Beth and I and told me "It's okay you can fight again"
What a top guy!
He's now my Facebook friend along with Braulio Estima, which is a funny story thanks to Caroline. Thats for another day though!
After all that fun and games, I had a hilarious few hours!
TIMOTHY.. Oh Timothy, Well lets just say I have never been told such things, Pool boy. Behave.
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Thats our lovely South African friend (Tim) there with myself, Helen 'HELLRAISER' Harper and Beth! Great shot I think
TIMS PHOTO. |
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(L-R) Helen, Caroline, Myself, Bethany
These girls make me train harder and I will do better! So proud of both of them!
TIMS PHOTO |
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| This photo is a great shot of the three of us again, there were more people we just didn't seem to get them in the photos!! |
My Third Fight
THIS FIGHT WAS MY FAVOURITE FIGHT OF THE WHOLE DAY!!
I asked Karl AGES ago if he would do me the honour of stepping onto Mat5 with me. He originally said 'No' I was gutted I wont lie..
Karl did such a fantastic job with his fight I was gutted he didn't win, you deserved it Karl and I am not saying that because he's my Boyfriend and Team Mate, He genuinely did.
You did me so proud today! Its not very often you get to train with someone like Karl who I know will tear it up next time! It was the best experience going on Mat5 with you so thank you!
I don't think captioning these photos will do them any justice to just look and I will hopefully get my video up from the lovely Lindsey who filmed us!
These photos are jumbled up now but I got them from Kay, Nat and Mat5 Facebook.
Credit goes to them!
We rolled the whole five minutes and it was the best, we had ourselves in a lot of different positions. The video will be on here soon as I get it (hopefully)
We were given so much support from so many people for doing this!
A couple that trains together, stays together I think. I will say though, I was like 4 points up at one point and Karl decided he had to fight properly.
What ever you say. I let you win!
Alex again said that it was a great fight and we should both be proud!
Such a nice guy! New Facebook buddy!
MASSIVE WELL DONE TO EVERYONE FOR THE EVENT WHO HELPED OUT!
Seriously ran so smoothly and everyone taking part was the reason!
And to finish,
After a long hard day of fighting, the two of us stopped off at the local pub and you can tell my our faces we were done for!
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| But its okay, I got my Vodka and Coke! |
So today was fantastic!!
Everyone did so well, I will do another blog with who medalled and everything but this was such a long post I want to make an awesome one just for them!
To conclude, I wont be competing again for a long time, I have a lot I need to work on for myself and how I practice Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I will be doing this for me and when I am ready I will step onto the mat again.
Now I have been on both sides of the rail I cant tell you how amazing they both feel for different reasons!
And before I forget, there is a link below for a little boy called Ben Butler. Read the link, it says enough! He is a top boy with a massive heart, just like his Mum and Dad!
Watch the Mat5 video if you can for the best Mat5 match around!!
I hope it works if not the page for Ben is on the links below!
Thanks for reading everyone!
Kerry xox
Here are some links:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bens-Therapy-Fundraising/200857373319514
