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We had discussed me competing in a tournament for some time, but the reality of it didn't quite sink in until about 4 weeks beforehand, by which point I was beginning to wonder if I'd left it all a little too late. I was aware of the usual 6-week pre-fight training programme and hurriedly embarked upon a diet of running, swimming, squash, Shidokan and weekend squad training. The run up to the fight was one
of mixed emotions. On one hand I really enjoyed the need to focus on my
training and on the other, I was suffering short and sporadic episodes
of "the fear". Two weeks before the tournament my fitness had steadily increased but knuckles were raw from boxing. Saturday squad training had seen both JJ's and Andres's kit stained with the bloodshed, and we decided to call a halt and train only my legs to allow my hands a chance to heal before the fight. What I hadn't realised, was the increasing impact of boxing the pads had damaged my wrists. Strapped up, I could only train my legs and was becoming increasingly concerned. I couldn't use a mouse at work never mind punch with my right hand. Psychologically this clearly didn't help but the decision was to keep training regardless, and let the BKK doctor decide on the day. I proceeded to start training with a gum guard and gather the contents of a good first aid kit. We arrived at Crystal Palace on the day for weigh-in about 9.30am. It was all rather daunting but I contained my nerves by plugging into my Walkman and speaking as little as possible. When asked for our photo ID and forms, Steve didn't have a license, I didn't have a photo and Andres didn't have a form. And although JJ glared at us - it did help to lighten my mood. We proceeded to sign release forms for Sky TV, weigh-in and then the medical. I was allowed through with my wrist but told, "it's probably going to hurt if you try boxing with it". It's the waiting around, as with anything, which is the most unnerving, but most of the club had turned up to support and that really helped. The ceremonial music soon began and all the fighters were called to walk in procession into the arena before the BKK Referees and Sensis. I was surprised how calm I felt when standing down on the mats even though I found myself scanning faces for my possible opponent. When my name was finally called it was to fight a Belgian girl. We fought one round and after a no decision were told to fight another. We were stopped several times with warnings to us both for punching to the head, and I was grateful to be wearing a sound gum guard. Her technique was to box continually to my breastbone and left bicep, which eventually wore out my left arm and won her the fight. I found it difficult to remember what actually happened during the fight. I've had a couple of odd experiences during training before but this was the most extreme case of tunnel vision and selective hearing I've encountered. I came off the mats apparently grinning from ear to ear, covered in blood and convinced I hadn't been using my legs. Thankfully, the blood wasn't mine and I had video footage I could scour through to witness my own techniques and mistakes, and it was reassuring to see a number of jodan mawashi geris in there afterall. I think the adrenaline takes over to a certain extent. I was hardly aware of what I was doing and certainly didn't feel the full impact of the blows. Which is what probably led to my left side looking like it had been in a car crash for the following two weeks. All in all I'm very glad I did it and now really want to fight in a Shidokan Tournament. Having conquered my first-time nerves it will be good to compete in another one to concentrate more on the actual fight. I have to say a big thank you to JJ, everyone at my club and those from the other dojos who turned up to support. Well done to Steve and Andres who also fought in the BKK and to Tim who deserves much respect for doing his first tournament in Egypt last month without his team members there to support him.
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