16.4.2012 / Scotland South Inter School Tournament4 coments

Shame and applause on Scotland South Inter School Tournament

Becoming a member of UKTA for £25 in January, to be allowed to train at Firhill, had also another meaning. With my new UKTA licence I was also able to attend local competition which took place on
15th April in Glasgow. I was looking forward to this tournament since the first time I had heard of it. I was filled with expectations if Scotsmen will be better or worse and if I will be able to reach a medal position. Meantime people from Firhill Taekwon- do, where I practice, spread information that they have new I. degree from Czech Republic which is good at sparring. I was pleased by that but I was not sure if I would be able to fulfil their expectations.

On tournament day I went to the gym by my bike with Irn Bru (local favourite soft drink, very sweet with taste of chewing gum) stickers. They let us in after a while and I put my UKTA dobok on. It was a wee bit bigger for me but I received it as a gift so I could not complain. Everything was already prepared in the gym, there were three rings 7x7 metres, tables for referees and benches for visitors. I found a group of people from Firhill and I joined them. We were discussing who will compete against whom and after a while the tournament began. I was surprised that there was no line-up, because here in Scotland everyone is very formal at TKD classes. Tournament began with competition of children and veterans. There were loads of children but only about five veterans. After a while two Italian friends of mine came. Several days before about ten people told me that they will visit me... But I was glad that at least someone came. I completely overlooked competition of juniors; I think there were not many of them. Then competition of seniors took place afterwards and I was the first one for patterns. I chose Kwang Gae Tul. Well, I finished it after three moves because I probably started with another foot. So I stand back to the position, looked at my opponent and I saw he is standing too... The referee smiled and let us do another one. I chose Ge-Baek this time but I ruined it at the end. My opponent did it well and he finished it. Both of us did the second pattern well. I felt stupid, first thing I showed on Scottish tournament and I ruined it so bad. It was done and I just tried not to think about it and prepared myself for sparring. It took a long time till the sparring started; I felt a wee bit tired and my friends as well. Once again I had the first match. I was able to score few nice points in the first round and in the second round I tried to keep the score and not exhaust myself. I won that match and I also got my self-confidence back. In the second match the opponent was harder than the first one; he pushed me out of the ring several times. Luckily for me he got few penalties for holding etc. I won this match too and I was watching the second semi-final match. There was a tall red belt against III. degree. My wish came true and the black belt won. I hate fighting against tall people. After a wee break the final match started and it was obvious that both of us were tired. I had an advantage that I had longer breather. First round was quiet good for me but I was loosing in the second round. This led to 2:1:1 points in my account and I won. My joy was multiplied by applause and congratulations. Meanwhile referees brought holder for wirok and I realised that I am on the list too. I chose yopchagi for elimination technique and I broke it. I was not good enough with the rest of techniques. I just managed to hurt my knuckle... Because just three people broke the elimination technique, I was third. The gym was almost empty at this time so I packed my stuff, said goodbye and went home. In the evening I went to celebrate the victory with several beers with my friends.

Whole day was a great experience for me; mostly due to the Scotsmen who are always so friendly and kind. My opponent in final match invited me to TKD class in Edinburgh so I should go there some time when I finish my exams.

Your Scottish writer, Pavel