Nestle Koko Krunch Junior TKD Championship

Yes, that had been what Zaky had been training  for and what kept the ice creams and chocolates away from him for the past few weeks. I like the 2nd part. Haha.

We were informed by the school last Friday of the competition details - report on Sunday at 8am at the JE Sports Hall. It was estimated that his competition will be at 9.15am. The competition was right smacked with the 1st "without kids tree top walk" that we had planned to commemorate our big 4-0. Sob. I know that I needed to be present for Zaky's 1st competition and contemplated joining the girls and turning back when time is up. However, I called off the idea when I realised how tight the time was. I highly suspect that Zaky will not win the competition and I think he wants mummy to be around for his 1st major setback.

I woke up before 6am on Sunday. Why? Daddy Lim burnt like 4,000 calories from the bike rally. I had a fraction of that from the same rally but also had 2 bfasts. Hohoho. The weighing machine instructed me to head to the gym and I had a short quick run before home to wake all the sleepy heads.

I was slightly worried about the weigh-in bcos Zaky had a huge dinner the night before at USS. With his uniform, he was 34.4kg at home and I was glad that he was too sleepy head for a proper bfast. Soon, we were on our way to the sports hall.

As expected, the girls started later than planned too. We are afterall mostly mummies, which meant a high rate of hipcups. This kid needed to suckle, that one needed to poo, somebody spilled milk... whatever. If I had joined the girls, I probably only have time for warm up before needing to rush off. Haha.

We arrived on time to find a fairly empty hall.

I had also expected a lot of waiting for such competition. I was half wondering if the girls would complete their hike before Zaky's turn.

We saw the schedule; in his age and weight group, there was a total of 3 pax. He was up against a Korean boy and the winner would spar against the lucky guy who is guaranteed at least a 2nd place.

There was so much waiting. Only 1 Master had arrived and the other one was on her way. The other TKD schools had much greater strength in support.

The Master helped the kids to warm up.

So were the kids from the other TKD schools. It was then that we realised how much stronger the other kids were. Some of them were really fast and strong. Gulp... swallow saliva.

Then it was back to waiting and waiting. The boy was constantly whining about how scare he was and squirming everywhere. Maybe it wasnt such a good idea to be with him. It was so irritating and I really wanted the competition to start really soon, to get the boy off me. Haha.

The bout 1 to 12 were asked to report. Bout is like the sequence or something. Zaky was bout 21. Finally, the game started.

While his peers were gathered to see the games' progress, Zaky was happier playing with the phone. It distracts him and made him calmer.

Finally, it was his turn to report for registration. The weigh-in was in full gear and I was worried. Zaky said that he was 34.9kg with all the gears. Phew! But I dont think they were really super strict; I didnt see any kids get turn away for being "overweight".

After registration, their nails were checked and they sat with their opponent.

Before they slowly make their way to the arena.

The chest guards were electronic and the scores were immediately displayed when contacted.

There were a total of 3 games of 1 min each. The game would stop if the scores were too wide (20 points) or if one of the player is disqualified, meaning any head contact.

Zaky got the 1st 2 points but he clearly lacks technique and strategy. His opponent blocked off his kicks while Zaky hugs his chest guard as taught in protection but scores were still registered when the opponent gave hard kicks. His opponent waited for Zaky to attack and use the split second where Zaky recovers to counter attack. The scores widen in favor of his opponent in the 2nd match. His opponent went for multiple kicks, while Zaky still attempted single kick and flight. This also wore him down physically.

The gap was super wide in the last match and his opponent strategically played defensive, opting to mainly flight. Zaky's inexperience was obvious, maintaining his attack and flight game instaed of aggressive attack. It was impossible to even narrow the gap and Zaky was visibly more tired as the game wore on.

Of course he lost the game with a huge gap. It was a huge blow to the boy and I was glad that I was there.

We went through the video and I pointed out to him what his opponent did to win. There was unfortunately no more chance to learn bcos there was only 1 game. The boy didnt want to stay on and we left in search for lunch.

He was sobbing in the car on the way to lunch but soon calmed down by the hearty lunch and ICE CREAM! He has worked hard and we will just have to try harder the next time.

Zaky has another sparring competition coming up in mid April. I already told him that his diet continues after the hearty lunch. Haha. At least that competition is sub-36kg and we have a slight leeway.

I told Daddy Lim that Idlo TKD is probably not the school to continue if Zaky really wanted to continue to train and compete. It was obvious that the competition sparring classes are lacking; most of the Idlo TKD kids lost in the championship and I attributed that to the lack of proper sparring techniques and strategies. The other coaches/ masters were yelling encourgaements and advices to their kids in arena but the Idlo TKD masters were mostly quiet and watching. I wonder if they even advice the kids properly in between the games. We will see how it goes for the upcoming competition but I forsee another big lost. Oopsy.

On a side note, Lil Shauna commented that I was so easy on Zaky and so hard on her training and competition. I tried to deny but she is right. Daddy Lim said that it is bcos I had all my hopes on her. I think he is right too. The woes of being the 1st born.

Mummy Lim