Monday, November 01, 2010

Why didn't I compete?

This past weekend our sister affiliate in San Antonio hosted the Gracie Grappling Cup. My teammates competed, of course, and brought home lots of bling. I did not compete. Why not?

I'm just not in the mood, I guess. I feel like I'm a squirrel, madly gathering nuts for winter-- I have so much technique to learn and add to my collection, and I'm just not ready to put it on the line. If I competed now I feel like I wouldn't have any of the holes (exposed by prior comps) filled yet. So what's the point?

It was a nice tournament, though small, and Relson Gracie was there which is always special. It was great to see old friends and make new ones (there's yet ANOTHER new jiu jitsu school in Austin, with a new-to-me female blue belt I'm eager to see at a Girls in Gis someday) but I'm happy to just have been a scorer.

Royler is coming to our academy for a seminar on November 18, and Kathy Brothers (America's second female black belt) will be attending, so I'm keen on that. It's only $85 for three hours, so if you're interested, go to this page to preregister.

Some eye candy for your Monday...

Oceane Talvard x Angélica Ferreira, black belt, Brazil Nationals this summer... I dig the passing, the back take, and the triangle transition...



Luana Alzuguir (one braid) v. Ana Maria India (two braids), Brazil, ADCC trials, 2009...

7 comments:

Meerkatsu said...

Yeah India!
She won right?

abbybjj said...

I really can't believe you feel that way about tournaments. There has not been one tournament i have gone to that i have not learned something that has improved my game. It doesn't matter if i win or loose. It's still always worth it for me to compete.

If you had no holes in your game you would be a black belt, and even black belts have some holes. Why not put yourself out there and let your game be exposed so you can improve on it? What do you have to loose except your ego?

Dev said...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I didn't even write that, I swear! THANK YOU ABBYBJJ!!!

:)



Okay, so while I couldn't agree MORE, I also understand having other priorities. And god knows you've proved yourself in tournaments (gold/silver WHAT?). So don't feel bad about taking one off. :)

Georgette said...

Abby-- my husband's been laid off for 9 months, money is tight, and I just don't enjoy competing all the time. It's not that competition doesn't teach me something every time because of course it does, as you rightly pointed out.

I enjoy it most when I feel prepared for it. I feel prepared for competition when I have trained specifically for it, meaning I have eschewed learning new stuff for a little while (2-4 weeks usually) and instead focused on drilling and polishing my "A" game. If I compete a lot, then I spend a lot of time polishing and not a lot of time back at the drawing board learning new chunks of material, which is the most awesomest fun part for me.

But yeah, ego is a part of it too.. duh :) Busted! :)

Liam H Wandi said...

good decision and i'm so jealous that Royler is visitin you

BJJFamilyMatters.com said...

My husband is temporarily back to work after being out for just over a year so I feel your pain - you have to pick and choose the right tournaments.

I went back and forth about fighting NAGA the week after the Miami Open, but was pleased with my decision to be a spectator when the day arrived. Mentally I was clear to focus on supporting our kids. Although, I think I stress more about my daughter's fights then my own.

Steve Spencer said...

I have been lucky to compete against a lot of people who are far better than me :) That may sound strange, but if I go on the mat against someone far more experienced, it removes some of my expectations of winning, and makes me just want to do my best, and learn something. I can say without a doubt: I have learned a ton from every single beating I have suffered thus far :)