UKITF Scottish Championships 2011 – My first experience

Sunday 27th March 2011 the day the UKITF Scottish Championships took place. It was also the first time I’d ever taken part in a competitive sport. In the week running up to the championships I’d been preparing myself mentally as well as physically of course, though mentally seemed to be the one I focused on a lot. Watched lots of videos to gain insightful sparring techniques. Sparring however was not the only category I would be competing in. There were four categories in all – Patterns, Sparring, Destruction and Special Technique. I signed up for all of them.

The event took place at Ravenscraig Sports Facility in Motherwell and the bus journey up, along with fellow competitors from our Ayrshire Club had my stomach turning as excitement, nerves and apprehension took turns in affecting me. As we arrived at the venue, there were already plenty of competitors suited up ready for the 10am start. So I registered and got suited up too.

Changed and back in the main competition hall I took a look around, corners of the hall were occupied with people warming up, practising and sparring. I joined up with another two girls from our club, all a bit nervous and apprehensive not really knowing what to expect. As the time was approaching 10am we were expecting an introduction to be made, little did we realise that some events were already taken place as were saw boys and girls about 5 years old already performing their patterns in front of a panel of judges. Thus marking the start of the Championships. We decided to find a spot too, in order to warm up. Had to make sure that all my muscles, mainly leg muscles were warmed up and flexible enough to execute my moves properly. I’ve always had this thing growing up where my legs or arms would turn jelly ending up with my fluffing up. I was determined not to let that happen especially with patterns to perform.

The waiting around was the most nervous part. There was really any agenda posted up so you had to make sure you listened carefully to the announcements to know when your time came. This proved hard at times as the speakers buzzed and you could not always clearly here what was being said. Though this was only the case in certain areas of the hall and we had to pick that spot of all places.

There were three rings (squares really). Each had some event going on. First the black belts were getting through their patterns starting with the seniors and then making their way down the age groups. Then came the colour belt categories, this time starting with the younger ones. My category had not yet been called up and the black belts were starting their sparring matches. Watching these matches take place was both enlightening and nerve-racking at the same time. It enlightened me as these were seasoned fighters who had attend many championships previously, you could take some good tips from them, watching the way they fight and counter was very interesting but it made me nervous because it made me look at my own way of fighting and made me think about whether I would be good enough to last a round without getting pounded. I was determined to not let it get me down and I tried to hold my nerve and practised more.

Then there was the first call for the coloured belts female pattern category. Ring 3. I made my way down there, all the way from the other end. My family were on that side, almost ring side you could say, so that was comforting. I warmed up and little bit and then was called up first against another competitor a belt above me. Ready position for our chosen pattern commands the head judge. Ready. “Sijak” (start), I get through the pattern managing to hold my nerve, making sure my execution was the best I could do. “Junbi” (back to ready position) shouts the head judge. Anticipation builds up at this point as judgement comes. All three flags go blue. “Yes!” I should in my head. I won that round. We were dismissed and give a congratulatory shake to my competitor. The next batch go up. A winner chosen. Round 2, final round. I go up against last year’s champion. (At the time not knowing this until afterwards). The head judge calls out a pattern to perform. I start the Do San Tul but my competitor starts a different one. Slightly confused that I’d done the wrong one, I decided to continue, doesn’t look good if you start again. Got through to the end. Flags go up, all blue again. The head judge shouts to chose another pattern of our choosing. I get in the Won Hyo ready position (my favourite pattern so far), my competitor also choosing to do the same. I get through but feeling I stumbled a little at the second bend and ready stance. Felt very relieved at the end when I saw three blue flags go up again. Had I just won? It was not at first very clear but we were dismissed and I had a brief giggle with my competitor at the mix up in the patterns. She realised she had done the wrong pattern. We were then whisked away to the medal podium and presented with our medal. I had won gold. Up on the first position of the podium I went, gold medal hanging from my neck, camera flashes going off here and there, I had mixed feelings, good feeling though.

The wait until the sparring match was long, very long but it was good watching all the black belts’ sparring matches even if it did scare my a little. It was also enjoyable watching the cadet’s (7-13 year olds) spar, amusing most of the time, though there were some good ones, executing their kicks and punches beautifully.

It wasn’t until about 4pm that I was called up for the sparring event. And I’d also almost missed. I had been practising in the one corner where sound was very good that I didn’t hear the call. It was only when I noticed competitors from my patterns category at Ring 2 that I realised I was meant to be there too. Rushing to put on my sparring gear, I got to the ring on time. Feeling nervous I was trying to figure out who would be my opponent. Turns out she was a blue belt also her first time, something we both took comfort in knowing it was both our first championship. We were called up first. The round was 90secs long. “Sijak” was called, the timer had started, I needed to start fighting. One of the things going through my head was she was so nice how am I going to hit her. I needed to get out of that mindset and spar, she through the first kick I countered, the rest went by so fast. Punches where thrown back and fourth. I know a side kick got through and I do recall a light punch touch upon my shoulder. Next thing I know she was down. But I hadn’t hit her, instead her foot got stuck as I twisted to avoid her kick, instead in set her off-balance and she was floored. I had this urged to go pick her up but had to resist as this was not to be done. We continued for a while then I heard the whistle blow. Times up. I got through it. All the worry could now pass. I got gold again. Wait what? My category was that small that there was only two of us. I got gold, she got silver. We were whisked to the medal podium again and presented with our medal. I had got another gold. The first one was only beginning to sink in and I had received another one. I shook hands with my opponent again for giving me a good fight. She was so nice and I’m glad that I came away with someone I hope to keep in touch with.

Sadly, I could not stay around for the Destruction or Special Technique as our coach was schedule to leave. The championships had run a little longer than expected. I felt a little disappointed but could not do anything about it. We had come by coach and it was our only transport home. Couldn’t really complain, I was very happy with the two results already. Especially when I wasn’t expecting to come home with any on my first try at a championship.

All in all it was a good experience. I gained a lot in terms of Taekwon-Do knowledge and new friends. Friends I hope to see at the next event. I have caught the bug and I am looking to train a little more and compete in the UKITF British Championships this October. I have a little more work to do as this a bigger event with close to 800 competitors. The challenge is exciting and in some ways I’ll still treat it as my first as it is my first British Championship event and will be a completely different experience.

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