Oh, it is taking me so long to get caught up on these tournament posts! But I'm getting there.
If you read my blog much, you'll notice this is her first tournament after this incident! I'm still having trouble fixing her hair so it looks cute but stays out her face during competition, but just like these posts, I'm getting there.
This tournament in Mesquite was a fun one. Loved the location, very easy to get to and plenty of room to move around in. We started the day with our normal routine of breakfast at the hotel with lots of eggs, then it was off to the tournament.
The two doodle bugs waiting for kata to start.
Getting ready to bow in. She really is improving, but so are the others. Nice finish She tied for third and had to do her kata again to break the tie so we were pleased with a good 3rd place finish. It could have gone either way, but she prevailed this time. And we have a plan to help her continue to get stronger in her kata, but I'll address that a different day.
On to sparring.
First round, her friend Cameron from Midland. She fought a good round and when the two minutes were up they were tied and it went to sudden death and he got a really good kick on her and won. So another 3rd place finish. She had fun at this tournament with Rayven and Hazel. I'm still not sure what the teachers are going to do with these two next year! Both of their transfers were approved so the will be starting kindergarten together! YAY! Next tournament
WOW! It has been more than a month since this tournament and I am finally getting around to posting about it.
We had not planned on going to this one because it is not an AOK tournament and there were no points to be had and we thought Mattie May would want a break. But she decided at the last minute that she wanted to go, so we packed up Saturday morning and headed west.
The tournament was held in one of the private schools in Midland and, man, did they have some great facilities! We were allowed to use the dressing rooms and they were super nice. I love this sign that was posted in the girls dressing room. I may have to put this on Mattie May's wall some day.
Doing some stretches with teammates... or maybe she just goofing off!
The rules meeting.
It's been a long time since we let her enter the Demo division, but several of the kids she normally competes against was in it, so we let her too. I'm sure Po being judge was an exciting thing for her!
All the participants with their trophies.
I tried to make it easy for her to be picked out of the crowed.
Now time for competition and as always, she begins with kata. (I still have camera issues, so blurry pictures)
Not a lot to talk about here, but we did figure out more of what she needs to work on.
Awaiting the judges scores which were not real good.
Addressing the judges.
Getting instructions from Shihan.
Because this was not an AOK tournament, Mattie May and Rayven were in the same division which doesn't usually happen but the girls didn't seem to mind.
Watching Rayven spar.
First round, she was up against Kylie,
and she lost.
I don't even remember the score.
As I said, we had not planned on going to this tournament so we went on Saturday morning. We decided we would not be doing that again. The entire day, we were all just not up to our normal tournament selves. So even when we decide at the last minute to go to a tournament, we will be spending the night so we can all get ourselves focused.
It was still a good day. Shihan treated all the kids to ice cream after we ate an extremely late lunch and ice cream always makes a day better.
Last weekend we headed back to Austin for, you guessed it, Mattie May to compete in another tournament. Not many from our dojo went this time so Shihan rode with us and split the cost of the hotel too. It was a nice trip. We were able to do some planning for the US Open coming up in a few weeks.
Of course Mattie May went to sleep in the car and slept the rest of the night. Saturday morning it was up and at 'em bright and early. It was unusual but this tournament didn't start until 10:00 AM, so we had time to watch a few cartoons before we headed down to breakfast.
I'm not sure who is more entranced by the cartoon...
Shihan or Mattie May!!
This was another tournament in the Givens Recreation Center. Nice but crowded. Even though it is a smaller tournament, we had to stake out a spot to spend the day!
After quite a delay, they finally called for Mattie May's division in kata. This time she was the ONLY girl competing!
kata
Watching the first contestant.
Bowing to the judges
She had been at karate camp all week and the work she has done really showed.
Nice, high kicks
I love that she doesn't get intimidated by the judges
Um, splits are a bit off, we will make sure she stretches more next time!
Second place!
Great job Mattie May!
Your second trophy in kata!
Way to go!
A short rest then on to sparring
Shihan ordered her a sparring vest and it came in before we left. I wish we would have left it at home! She had not practiced in it, but we let her wear it anyway! Shihan put it under her gi trying to get it to lay down a bit more.
Yes, she looks like a little line backer!
But this is karate not football!
She came out strong and put the first four points on the board,
then he kicked her in the chest and it didn't hurt so she left herself open!
It was all over after that!
Believe me, she will either practice in the vest or it will be left at home!
Oh well, she still had her name called!
Third place sparring!
Yay! First time she has won two trophies at one tournament.
We are all very proud of you Mattie May!
Keep up the good work!
She now has points in all three regions of the AOK!
We had planned on having a bit of a break before the US Championships and the US Open, but this Saturday, she will be competing in Midland at the Matthews brother's tournament. It is a fun tournament for the kids, and I do believe I heard Po (Kung Fu Panda) was going to be there along with some other super heros!
Hope you have a great rest of the week! Until next time,
What a trip! Long. Tiring. But so very worth it. We left about 10:00 AM Friday morning and headed south. Mattie May did great for such a long trip and for being on a time schedule. She has made long trips before, but we usually aren't watching time and can stop often. But this time, we really wanted to be in Houston in time to relax, eat, swim, and get in bed at a decent hour. We only stopped twice on the way, once for something to eat and once for fuel and a pit stop!
Saturday morning started early, for a Saturday it was early. We had a yummy breakfast at the hotel, picked up Julie and Zachary, then we had to locate the tournament location and get her signed in, she was preregistered, but you never know how long you'll have to wait in line. Thankfully, it went smooth and we had her at the rules meeting in plenty of time. While she was listening to the rules, Grumpy found her ring assignment and found the ring so we were good to go.
I think there were about 18 kiddos in her division. Huge! What did we expect? This was Houston after all!
Lining up to bow in.
I know I'm biased, but why doesn't she get extra points for cuteness? Just look at that face! LOL
Intro. Good. Loud. Clear. Facing the judge.
A tad off balance, but good concentration.
She did her best in kata with just a few minor places being off balance. But it wasn't her day today - her participation medal.
This time something different - BREAKING! This is her favorite thing. She had worked really hard this past week, staying late every night at the dojo working on her hammer fist, elbow and foot stomp. But for reason's beyond Shihan's control, she only participated in first time breakers.
Great foot stomp, but look at that board leaning on the front cinder blocks.
Yeah, it should be in two pieces. For some reason the child tried to do a palm. She has never done a palm Crazy kid! She has a mind of her own!
Second place and we couldn't be more proud.
But she promises, next time she will do what she practices! And she did ask if she could try the board again, and she broke it!
And on to sparring. Again, a huge division. I think there were 17 and only three girls! They broke it up into two brackets with the winner of each bracket facing each other for the championship. We were a bit confused at first because they didn't tell us this, but we figured it out.
Lining up to bow in.
I'm sorry, but again, look at all that cuteness! I just love it!
Watching Rayven in the Intermediate/Advanced division.
Those two girls crack us up. Typical girls; best friends one second, mortal enemies the next! But they do love each other and support each other. I love listening to them cheer each other on.
AOK doesn't allow coaching once the competitors are in the ring, so Mrs. Terry is giving her some quick instruction before she goes in.
"Touch Hands"
"Fight!"
She did really well on her first fight.
We have really been after her about her form - kick, punch punch!
If you notice, her hands are down in this picture, but she has taught herself to duck her head.
Her opponents missed several points because she would move her head. Whatever works as long as it's legal!
Lolo messed up! My batteries ran out and I didn't have any spares! So what few pictures I have are from her first round. And how did she do? Well...
Remember, I said this was a huge division and it was broken into two brackets. Mattie May surprised us all! She won four rounds in her bracket with only one minute to rest between the third and forth fight to win her bracket and place her in the championship fight! And again, only one minute to rest before that fight.
At the last minute, I flipped my phone to video deciding if I drained the battery it would be OK. So as they say on the news...
"ROLL TAPE!"
That's right! Mattie May won! The tape shows, so I don't need to tell you that we were a bit excited! I think all that jumping was when I twisted my ankle. Frank was so excited he couldn't quit laughing. And Terry was louder than any one around! Mattie May has been improving but we never dreamed she would win against that large of a division. This is one proud grandma!
Remember this post when I said it's so good to have your name called? Well it's even better when your name is called last!
Love that smile!
Getting ready to bow out.
Perfect bow!
Her first place medal!
I know your asking yourself "No Trophy?" No! Not at this tournament. Here they win bicycles!
That's right! She won a bicycle.
We are so very proud of Team Abilene. They brought back five, let me say it again, FIVE bicycles to Abilene. They took the big city by storm! I have said this before, but I am going to say it again - we are so new to this and learning something at every tournament, but I can't imagine having her at any other dojo in town. AMMA teaches their students how to achieve with hard work, encouragement, and discipline, but most of all, they love each and every student that walks through those doors. Thank you Shihan Larry Fields and all your staff! You are the best!
Now to prepare for the next tournament. It's back to San Antonio and the Mongoose Open Karate Championships. And if our plans don't change, we will also be visiting Fiesta Texas! It's good to relax after all these tournaments!
She really is improving, 
but so are the others.
Nice finish
She tied for third and had to do her kata again to break the tie so we were pleased with a good 3rd place finish. It could have gone either way, but she prevailed this time. 
And we have a plan to help her continue to get stronger in her kata, but I'll address that a different day.
She fought a good round and when the two minutes were up
they were tied and it went to sudden death
and he got a really good kick on her and won. 
So another 3rd place finish. 
She had fun at this tournament with Rayven and Hazel.
I'm still not sure what the teachers are going to do with these two next year! Both of their transfers were approved so the will be starting kindergarten together! YAY!
Next tournament
Bowing to the judges
