Kung Fu Fighting

Why do we do it? Day in, day out. Sit ups, push ups, hitting a bag. Master Evans smacking me around. Gary's foot to my forehead. Brenda's heal to my ribs. Gitai's beautiful hooks and Joel's manic fists of fury and Alex's flying throws and Travis pounding on my skull. Hell, I don't even know what Malcolm hits me with sometimes. . .but I digress. . .

I told some folks back in Seattle that I would travel the island of Taiwan fighting all takers. I was presented an opportunity: The Hsin Chu Kung Fu San Da Championships. The school where I have been training was representing Taipei with me, another weigworen (an Isreali named Mick who has been keeping me in shape for my return to Seattle) and a posse of Taipei SWAT team cops. I think that these are definitely the ingredients for an interesting day.

To fight in the 65-70 Kilo weight class, I had to lose about 3-4 kilos in the two weeks between J-Griff's visit and the tournament. Another fighter and I expressed concerns all day about being starved and feeling weak. I think that this was the deciding factor in my fight, as I could barely lift my legs after the first round. I lost my fight by a 2 to 4 decision. Mick's story, however, is much more interesting.

In the first round of the tournament (Saturday the 23rd), Mick's opponant forfeited. We were all surprised and were able to sleep well that night, knowing that we had several fighters in the next day of competition.

Representing Taipei

Day two began with an opening ceremony: the mayor of HsinChu spoke, as did several other important people (I guess they were important, they wore expensive suits. It was all in Chinese, so all I could do was smile and clap politely). A dancing dragon demonstration with a group of drummers accompanying was next, then the forms and fighting competition began. Mick and I were the only westerners entered. Very interesting.

In the second round of Fighting, Mick's super-heavyweight opponant (outweighing Mick by nearly 20 Kilos, the guy was definitely in the SUPER heavyweight catefory) started strong, but was easily mastered. The smaller, faster Mick was able to throw the larger, slower fighter all around (and, several times, out of) the ring. A very good fight. And, now, Mick was set to fight in the championship fight. . .

This Fall's Fashion Craze? Mouthguards! They make you look tough and so frigging sexy. . .

Note: The forms competion was incredible to watch. Flowing Tai Chi forms performed by people of all shapes, ages and sizes -- from small children to a group of elderly folk -- as well as weapons and hard style forms were all present.

Mick was very familiar with his opponant for the Championship fight. They had fought before at Mick's second-degree testing. From the start of the tournament, both were the class of their division and it seemed fate that they meet in the champonship mach.

Mick started very strong. Both fighters were about even in the first round -- an early slip by Mick was the deciding factor. Mick clearly took the second round with many take-downs and tricky escapes. The crowd was growing and gathering for the main event -- round three in the final super heavy weight match.

Despite an early advantage and a good start to the round, Mick took a serious fall, aggravating old knee and anckle injuries. With fights in mainland China looming in the future, Mick took it easy for the rest of the round and lost a close decision. All that was left was the closing awards ceremony and celebratory dinner in Hsin Chu.

As for me, this was to be my swan song -- the last time I compete in a fighting tournament. I am thirty now, I thought. However, having lost so sadly, I feel now that I have to do it one more time and go out with a bang rather then a wimper.

- November 26, 2002

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