Thursday, October 16, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
The 2008 Diamond Nationals
Preface
You push and you push and YOU PUSH. All the hard work you do sometimes seems to go for not as you fall just short of all you wish to accomplish.
What keeps a person motivated to keep showing up everyday to do the work necessary to bring him/her closer to one's goal? Especially when the goal doesn't come to fruition as quickly as one hopes. Are you even getting closer? Are you even getting better?
(smiles)
Hard to deal with, huh?
The last year and a half has been challenging. My competition goals have been met with adversity, and sometimes I wondered if I what I was doing was worth it and was getting me closer to what I wanted. I've been ranked number 2 in the country for the last 2 years in Traditional Japanese form on the NASKA (North American Sport Karate Association) Circuit. Yes, at least, that's an accomplishment in of itself BUT something I didn't want to settle for.
I showed up to every tournament wanting to be recognized as Number 1 -- often times going home disappointed with 2nd place. Going home with number 2 is not ok when all your pushing for is the top. I never let that affect my attitude or how I treat people, but personally, my goal is number 1.
My training this year, however, was reached a new level. Yes, I've worked hard to do it, but I could not have done it without the help and mentorship of my two main mentors/instructors/coaches/senseis -- Mr. Fred Nicklaus & Mrs. Suzann Wancket-Yue. Whatever the title is, they are in my most trusted circle. They've helped me cultivate the winning performance and winning mindset of a champion. When you find someone who helps you do that, it's important to listen and soak up every bit of information and advice that they have to offer. They forever have my gratitude and loyalty. Thank you, Mr. Nicklaus & Sensei Wancket-Yue.
In addition, if I haven't already, I want to pass on my sincerest thanks to all those that have given me their support and energy in helping me achieve my goals. Also, thanks to everyone that cheered and rooted for me at the tournament. It's another challenge for me to really show the level of appreciation I have for all the support and energy that you've given me. In part, I try to say thank you by representing the best professionalism, respect, and humbleness as a competitor that I can. Thank you, again!
Competition
For the last month, I've been obviously training physically for the Diamond Natinoals, but what has made the biggest difference has been the mental preparation that I've done. Again, Mr. Nicklaus and Sensei Wancket-Yue have helped me do that. I've pictured and rehearsed my Diamond Nationals weekend long before it ever happened.
What I mean is that I imagined the feeling, the sights, the sounds, the experiences that I would have even before the weekend happened. I even went to the hotel a week or two before the tournament and scouted out the area to make sure I was going to be as comfortable as possible (since the tournament location moved this year, I wanted familiarize my mind with the new environment).
I imagined and planned how I would prepare for competition, how I would compete, and how I would do things after I competed -- all with the common denominator -- my winning the 2008 Diamond Nationals. I've to come to recognize an important skill in preparation (it's not a secret, it's been around for years). You must prepare as if you've already done it -- makes sense not prepare with anything else but the intent to do what you set out to do.
Steve Meade played a big in helping me as well. He prepared a customized relaxation & visualization CD that helped me to imagine and visualize my success at the Diamond Nationals. I listened to the CD everyday at least twice. Get a hold of Mr. Meade to help you out at SteveMeade.com
Here's my daytime performance. I won 1st place.
In the night time finals, I tied for the Grand Championship and lost in the tie breaker. I'll post the performance when the DVD comes out.
All in all, one of the best weekends I've had in competition. I thank you again for the support and energy. It undoubtedly helped me achieve what I did this weekend. I did everything I set out to do save one little detail, but that's why you keep pushing.
Warmest Regards,
wc3
You push and you push and YOU PUSH. All the hard work you do sometimes seems to go for not as you fall just short of all you wish to accomplish.
What keeps a person motivated to keep showing up everyday to do the work necessary to bring him/her closer to one's goal? Especially when the goal doesn't come to fruition as quickly as one hopes. Are you even getting closer? Are you even getting better?
(smiles)
Hard to deal with, huh?
The last year and a half has been challenging. My competition goals have been met with adversity, and sometimes I wondered if I what I was doing was worth it and was getting me closer to what I wanted. I've been ranked number 2 in the country for the last 2 years in Traditional Japanese form on the NASKA (North American Sport Karate Association) Circuit. Yes, at least, that's an accomplishment in of itself BUT something I didn't want to settle for.
I showed up to every tournament wanting to be recognized as Number 1 -- often times going home disappointed with 2nd place. Going home with number 2 is not ok when all your pushing for is the top. I never let that affect my attitude or how I treat people, but personally, my goal is number 1.
My training this year, however, was reached a new level. Yes, I've worked hard to do it, but I could not have done it without the help and mentorship of my two main mentors/instructors/coaches/senseis -- Mr. Fred Nicklaus & Mrs. Suzann Wancket-Yue. Whatever the title is, they are in my most trusted circle. They've helped me cultivate the winning performance and winning mindset of a champion. When you find someone who helps you do that, it's important to listen and soak up every bit of information and advice that they have to offer. They forever have my gratitude and loyalty. Thank you, Mr. Nicklaus & Sensei Wancket-Yue.
In addition, if I haven't already, I want to pass on my sincerest thanks to all those that have given me their support and energy in helping me achieve my goals. Also, thanks to everyone that cheered and rooted for me at the tournament. It's another challenge for me to really show the level of appreciation I have for all the support and energy that you've given me. In part, I try to say thank you by representing the best professionalism, respect, and humbleness as a competitor that I can. Thank you, again!
Competition
For the last month, I've been obviously training physically for the Diamond Natinoals, but what has made the biggest difference has been the mental preparation that I've done. Again, Mr. Nicklaus and Sensei Wancket-Yue have helped me do that. I've pictured and rehearsed my Diamond Nationals weekend long before it ever happened.
What I mean is that I imagined the feeling, the sights, the sounds, the experiences that I would have even before the weekend happened. I even went to the hotel a week or two before the tournament and scouted out the area to make sure I was going to be as comfortable as possible (since the tournament location moved this year, I wanted familiarize my mind with the new environment).
I imagined and planned how I would prepare for competition, how I would compete, and how I would do things after I competed -- all with the common denominator -- my winning the 2008 Diamond Nationals. I've to come to recognize an important skill in preparation (it's not a secret, it's been around for years). You must prepare as if you've already done it -- makes sense not prepare with anything else but the intent to do what you set out to do.
Steve Meade played a big in helping me as well. He prepared a customized relaxation & visualization CD that helped me to imagine and visualize my success at the Diamond Nationals. I listened to the CD everyday at least twice. Get a hold of Mr. Meade to help you out at SteveMeade.com
Here's my daytime performance. I won 1st place.
In the night time finals, I tied for the Grand Championship and lost in the tie breaker. I'll post the performance when the DVD comes out.
All in all, one of the best weekends I've had in competition. I thank you again for the support and energy. It undoubtedly helped me achieve what I did this weekend. I did everything I set out to do save one little detail, but that's why you keep pushing.
Warmest Regards,
wc3
Thursday, October 2, 2008
2008 Southern Wisconsin Open - Verona, WI
Another great tournament by Jeff Christianson - Owner/Master Instructor of Karate America, Verona.
Thanks, Mr. Slaby, for the video footage -- technical difficulties with my camera ;)
Thanks, Mr. Slaby, for the video footage -- technical difficulties with my camera ;)
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