Results from UTA Nationals/Worlds

Well it has been a week since the UTA Nationals/Worlds and I am just getting around to posting the results. Truth is it has taken me this long due to the negative feelings that I came away from the tourney with. Without going into the sordid details, I'll just state that the judging was somewhat inconsistant and some judges allowed their personal & training affiliations cloud them a bit. That's it, anymore and it'll sound like sour grapes.

First up was Tyler. He competed in the 10-11 yo Brown-Advanced Red division. Tyler did the best pattern that he's ever done. That boy didn't show a single hint of nerves and earned 3rd in Nation in the forms category.

Tyler sparred in the land of the giants. Unfortunately both boys have their Dad's short gene. But he did the best he could, placed 4th and we were very proud of his efforts.

Up next was Dalton competing in the 12-13 yo Brown -Advanced Red. Dalton's pattern was spot on. He did not miss a single step, was powerful, precise and well timed. His performance landed him 4th in forms.

Dalton also sparred in the land of the giants. He gave it his all and earned 3rd place. Well done son!

Last up was Dad. I placed 1st in forms.

The oddest thing happenned after the forms competition. Two new judges were brought in for the sparring and they just happenned to be 2 judges from the same school as the two competitors that eventually placed 1 & 2. Humm, that must a been some pure coincidence there?! As my friend Mike would say "Bitter party of one".........cuz I still am.

My first match was a loss 4-5 to the fella that won 1st. After that 1st match, I did not spar again, not for 3rd, 4th, 5th place......NOTHING. Still can't explain that one and to add to the frustration, there were no Black Belts from my school to inquire how that occurred or to lobby a complaint.

Thus the look of disillusion even in winning 1st in forms and no placement in sparring.
So now it's back to training we all go. Each of us now with a burning desire to improve and perform better next time. In the end, none of us are too dissapointed. How could we be, all of us competed at a National Tourney and each of us earned a Top 3 placement in one event or another.

Till the next time.......keep on kicking.