American Bushido Open
Every year, St. David’s Catholic Church in Davie, Florida hosts the American Bushido Open. Karatekas can compete in sparring, empty hand forms, weapons forms, and musical forms. Unlike the competitions that USA Goju Federation sponsors, the American Bushido Open is on a much larger scale and open to competitors from all styles. This was Austin’s 2nd year at the ABO.
Despite nursing a sprained ankle, Austin decided to compete. I know the sensei will highlight his accomplishments at Monday night’s class. This young man is a true warrior. Last year, he threw up and still won second place in the sparring competition. This year, he came to compete, injury and all.
His chosen events this year were the empty hand form and the sparring. He never declines an opportunity to spar. For the empty hand form, he carefully chose a kata that did not involve moving the feet. He thought he could beat the system, but unfortunately, it’s a very esoteric form; judges are human and we all favor what’s familiar.
Austin never declines an opportunity to spar. This round, he was matched up against a USAGF student from another dojo. They started off faster and more furious than I’d ever seen him fight before. The fight ended quickly when Austin connected with a clean shot to the head and sent his opponent to the corner grabbing his face and crying. The judges called the match and got an ice pack for the fallen competitor.
I got this shot just before he landed the fateful punch. I was shooting with the Nikon D80 in continuous mode. When you scroll through the images in iPhoto, it looks like a flip book animation.
His next opponent was a tall and lanky kid who outmatched Austin in reach and mobility. He would lose that match.
The third match was lost before he even began. I’m not being negative here. He was matched up against a girl. It’s a lose-lose proposition. If you win, whoopty-doo, you beat a girl. If you lose the match, you lost to a girl!
Last year’s American Bushido Open was his first competition ever. He complained about the plastic taste of the protective mouthpiece. He was struggling with new contact lenses. He was sick to his stomach all morning. He threw up after the second sparring match (and still won second place). Last year’s trophy was bigger, but this year’s victory was bigger. He gave everything, except a wonky ankle.
