Halloween In South beach Miami, Bas-I Kyokushin Tournament
While still in Japan I came across a mention of a Kyokushin Karate tournament in Miami, on October 31. Halloween. I decided I would go.
Lucky for me I had a friend I met in Japan who lives in Jacksonville Florida. Chris. An American with full philipino blood. A car racer, break dancer, and all around nice guy. I asked if he would be interested in going with me and being my second. He thought it sounded like a great idea, and suggested I stay at his place. Sounded good.
A few months of intense preparation later, I left for Florida.
I had come from the North. When I left it was cool and rainy; when I arrived in Florida it was in the 80's and humid...and I was wearing my jacket. Not for long though, I took it off and didn't put it back on until I left. While standing and waiting in the airport I heard a noise and turned around. I was greeted with a hearty "OSU!" and rei.
Chris and I played catch up on the way to his car, and I explained that because of the exorbitant fee I had to pay for a checked bag (tournament gear- cooler and middle meat), I was going to leave those things with him and send him money to mail them back. He agreed.
The first order of business was having an awesome meal (Korean), and meeting my other second and new friend, Jason. Jason is also a nice guy, and he was coming with me and Chris to Miami.
As we where driving, Chris mentioned there was a hotdog eating contest that night, and asked if I wanted to go. "Entering or spectating? 'cause I probably shouldn't enter something like that before a fight (remembering the arm wrestling tournament I crashed before a fight years prior... )." Chris laughed and said spectating. He said we could meet up with one of his friends, Jon, who was also going to be there. When we arrived at the hotdog eating place, there wasn't many people, but the place filled up quick. Spectators, competitors, and a news crew. We finally rant into Chris's friend Jon. As we where talking Jon said "hang on, I have to go" and left. As Chris, Jason, and I where talking, the announcer started doing competitor introductions. We all realized then that Jon wasn't just watching the contest with us, he was IN the contest. Chris didn't know he was even going to be in.
Announcer: "...and finally, Jon! Our Returning champion!!"
Apparently Chris didn't know he was the champion either. As the competition got underway, the race was close, but with hard work and our cheering, Jon was the winner!
Congratulations Jon!
After we left the contest we grabbed some food and headed back to Chris' place where I met his brother, Theo. Theo, like his brother, is a super nice guy. He has a great taste in food, and like to collect...everything. The rest of the night passed with us all hanging out.
The next day saw Chris and I going to various places and general things until night time arrived. This was when I met Daryl. Another of Chris' friends with similar interests to the rest of us. Daryl, Jason, Chris, and myself went to night club "Ivy" that night. Club Ivy was having a costume contest that night. Daryl went as a doctor; Chris was a ninja; Jason didn't dress up, but he kind of looked liked the Dali Lama's brother; and I went as Nash (or if you ask any of them- as Cody from the game "Final Fight"). When we got there, we ran into a few of Chris' other friends who where all dressed as a team of (very convincing) Luchadore. Chris went out and did some break dancing dressed as a ninja, which as we all know, is always great. His buddies wound up getting 3rd place in the costume contest.
Congratulations Team Masked Mexican Wrestler!
When we got back from the club, we all stood around and ate cereal at 4am with Theo. There was so much good cereal...
The next morning I decided I would just have a little of the cereal for breakfast. When Theo got home from work, his first words where "Who ate all the cereal?...Nash..." Chris did.
No, it was me.
That night Chris, Jason, and I left for Miami from Jacksonville, and Chris was going to drive it all straight through. We left at around 2am(or 3? It was early.). I had a fight ahead of me, so I tried to sleep, but it didn't work out very well. Jason was in a coma the minute he got into the car, and Chris....well the lack of sleep and the drive were taking their toll on his sanity.
We arrived at around 10am, and we where hungry. We decided to get some breakfast at a Publix grocery store that served breakfast. We got a traditional dirty south breakfast: Butter grits, cheese scrambled grease eggs, old biscuits, and fried fish. MISTAKE. On top of all the things I had to fight, I didn’t want to add diarrhea to the list.
Afterwords we arrived at the tournament sight. I had not been able to discern the information about the tournament before going. I wasn't sure of the rules, format, system, or anything else about the tournament. All I knew is that I needed to go. We looked around. We where in the "bad" part of Miami. The buildings and people looked pretty run down. However, everyone was really, really nice. "This is not the Miami Will Smith was singing about... when this is over, I want to go there." I said.
I walked in and registered for the ring Kumite. I asked if anyone else had registered yet, and they said yes. Walking around I met kancho James Newton, the head of the tournament, and the organization behind it: Bas-I Kyokushin. He is a very nice guy,skilled, and has a great Jamaican accent. He wished me the best. Then I came upon a T-shirt vendor. He told me they where 20usd. I asked if I won, if I could have one complimentary. "Ok, if you win, I will buy you one." said the vendor. Ok, and if I lose, I will buy one, I said. I was counting on winning, because I didn't have enough money...
Chris, Jason, and I went for a walk outside. We saw some of the officials. "Man, I can tell from the way you walk you are going to beat ass!" Well, I'll do my best. "Yeah, well I'm glad I'm not in this tournament to fight you." The 3 of us continued our walk. When we walked back in the other officials looked over at me. "That's him, that's the guy that is going to beat everyone up!"
I said I'd do my best.
The three of us then went and watch the tournament for a bit. After about half an hour, I decided I would get changed and warm up. Team Nash was off to the warm up room. I changed into the shirt that Hatate had given me at the world weight tournament in Japan, to cheer our district on. I felt if appropriate to wear then. During warm up I told Chris and Jason what I needed them to do as my seconds ( people in your corner who keep time, have bandages and ice, ect. and cheer you on). 30 minutes later we emerged. Ready.
I didn't know at the time I wouldn't be fighting for hours. This was the first annual of this tournament, meaning there would of course be some hiccups and growing pains,(and there where)but all in all it was run well.
As I was waiting and watching, I walked around for a bit. It was here I was approached by a guy I didn't know. "How old are you? Are you fighting in the youth division?" I laughed. "Yeah, I thought you where a knockdown fighter! I'm Triston." Nash. Turns out Triston was going to be 18 in a week or so, but still couldn't fight with the adults because he was still technically 17. I offered to help him warm up if he wanted to, as I grew tired of sitting and doing nothing. He took me up on it, and we had a light spar for about 10 minutes. He seemed to enjoy my techniques, and his teacher and dojo mates came over. We talked a great deal, and I was impressed by them, especially Triston, who had good technique for his age. I learned they had come from coco beach Florida, and had driven down just like Chris, Jason and myself. Triston and his group are a member of IKO3 (I believe...), and his teacher goes simply by "Sensei Dan" and seemed like a very nice man. Triston shared that his idol is Kenji Midori, because they are the same shape and style. I said mine is Andy Hug, for the same reasons.
During the course of the day I noticed a very large polish looking gentleman sitting in a chair at the other end of the arena. Watching. Though he was dressed in civilian clothes, I got the feeling he was a fighter. While I was helping Triston warm up, It felt like the guy was watching me. Later when Triston went to fight, I was back to standing around and started to cool down, so I started shadow boxing to stay warmed up. Again, it felt like this guy was watching me.
It was now Triston and his Dojo mate's (Kobe?) time to fight. I went to their area to cheer them on and shout reminders ("hands up!", "combinations!", "circle!", ect.). They dominated their opponents and won. It was great to watch.
Congratulations Triston and Kobe!
That was it for the daytime events. It was time for me to really get ready. Kancho James Newton came up to talk to me. "Are you ready? There has only been one other fighter signed up for the ring kumite, so you will only fight one person. Since there is only the two of you, you will be the main night fight. you will do great." Since there was only the one fight, the match style was more like that of a kickboxing setup rather than a tournament. Either way is fine with me. It was at this time that I saw the large polish man get up and head towards the warm up room. There was only 30 minutes until our fight.
15 minutes later:
Kancho approached me: " Did you see the large polish man sitting over their earlier? He is your opponent." I knew it! " He has been watching you all day." I thought so. "15 minutes ago, he left." .... where did he go? "No one knows, and we don't know if he will be back. If he does not come back, someone might take his place." .... "If no one comes.... there won't be a fight...."
I couldn't accept it. 15 minutes went by. "He's gone, no one came to take his place." My heart sank, and my emotions where heavy. I had sacrificed so much, sold many of my (few) possessions, given up much, trained intensely for months.... only to have this man leave. He either thought I would kill him, or it wasn't worth the time it would take to beat me up.
Either way the outcome was the same.
I volunteered to fight anyone. I also asked to still do the breaking. "You don't have to though...you still want to do breaking?" Yes. "I will just give you the materials, and you can take them with you." I thanked him, again volunteering to fight anyone. No takers.
I was able to spar Triston and one of his dojo mates though. They where the only people left in the place. Afterwords, Kancho came up to me "I watched you today, and just now. You are good, and you have true spirit. I know the trainer of the polish man, I am confident you would have won. You are still the winner, so you deserve this." He then handed me the ridiculously sized trophy. Though what he said may have been true, what I wanted was a fight. My fight.
Sensei Dan, Triston's teacher, seemed to get along well with me though, and invited me to come to their training camp in the winter. I just thought he was being polite, so I didn't take to to seriously. That is until he offered for me to stay with them, so I could attend. He seemed serious, and I would be a fool to pass up training with an elite in their organization. Plus they are nice people. They can count me in!
As I was leaving the venue I came upon T-shirt salesman. "Are you the winner?" I was declared winner. "But did you beat that opponent?" I'll beat any opponent you can give me. "But not THE opponent."
Give me the shirt.
And so, I got a nice shirt as a souvenir. Next it was off to "Will Smith's Miami"-South Beach, for Halloween.
The lack of sleep and the driving had taken their toll on Chris by this point. We had been keeping him artificially awake on "5 hour energy" drinks, and it was showing. He was not in his best condition.
South Beach was a beauty to look at, and the fact that it was Halloween made it that much more interesting. The people where jerks, however, and it made me wan to go back to broken Miami - Everyone was nice in "bad Miami". We all had fun though. Even in spite of Chris' emotional breakdown that was fueled by exhaustion, his self imposed sense of responsibility, and my getting hustled(the event was a very similar situation to the "Roppongi" trip. Bradley and Jeff would be able to imagine where "those people" took us, and where the money went). After we had had our fill, we headed back to Jacksonville.
With Chris Driving.
After about an hour he had to pull over and sleep for a few minutes. An hour later, same thing except he had to sleep for an hour. An hour after that, I told him to just go to bed, he needed it and we were in no hurry. After we slept for a couple hours we headed out again, finally getting back in the morning, at about 10am. Jason had been asleep since we first got in the car. The guy sleeps like a bolder, and I am slightly jealous.
We walked in to find that Theo and Daryl and some people had been partying for Halloween at Chris and Theo's house, while Chris, Jason and myself had been in Miami. Also, unknown to me at the time, Theo had procured a very large and realistic looking fake spider, which they had been going back and forth hiding in the house to freak each other out.
I announced, in my groggy state, that I was going to take a shower. I walked in, slid the shower door open, bent over to turn the water on, turned my head and found myself face to face with the largest spider there never was. "AAAAAHHHHH!" is what I heard fly from my mouth as I lept back and almost broke through the bathroom door. A chorus of laughter could be heard coming from the living room.
When my shower was over, I hid the thing under one of the towels in the shower, so when it was pulled down, it would seem like the spider was leaping on you in the shower. Take THAT Chris.
When I finished with my morning activities, Chris went to bed (he needed it. Bad.), and the rest of us spend the day sparring and hitting the middle meat. Once night fell we set out to meet some of Chris' friends for my "victory" dinner.
Everyone came, plus a couple of people I hadn't met yet. It was at a nice Japanese place. Chris was pouring warm sake and hot tea for people, and when Theo wanted some tea, and got the cups mixed up, his face was priceless. Another "Theoism" acured when Theo frustratingly asked "Am I the only person here who DOESN'T speak Japanese?!" As Chris and I where leaving the dinner in his car, one of his female friends announced from the parking lot that she had studied martial arts before (Taekwondo, I think), and wanted to spar. I got out of the car and we sparred in the parking lot. Good times. I would love to continue the match. Afterwords, Chris took me to an amazing Ice Cream Place. I had to obstain from ice cream for months as preparation for the tournament, so the treat was that much more special. Also, I got an even more personal treat when, on the way to dinner, Chris took me to a philipino grocery and bought me a traditional philipino dessert. Halo-halo. It's a shaved ice kind of thing with carnation milk, a lot of mixed fruits and random things in there like leche flan or sweet potato ice cream. Amazing. It's great, and I had been missing cold things.
When the night was finally over, Chris and I headed back to his place. My flight was at 6am the following morning, so we had to leave for the airport at around 4am. We decided to just stay up the whole night and leave when we needed.
Too much excitement I guess... Chris fell asleep at around 1am. I couldn't figure out how to work his Television, so I watched cartoons. Though I certainly didn't mind.
Chris and I left for the airport, leaving behind the cooler, middle meat, trophy, and Theo's signature cereal he got me as a souvenir.
At the airport we exchanged "OSU!" and rei, and parted ways.
My flight landed at 11:30am. I had somewhere to be by noon. Having not slept in a while, looking disheveled, and arriving from a travel, I started a new day. No Change.
A couple of Days after being back, I received an email from someone at the tournament reporting to someone who left early. It was not addressed to me, and I have no idea how they got my mail address. I assume it was a carbon copy. The person reporting was giving an overview of the tournament, but there was one special mention and it involved someone you might know. See if you can find it. The person might want to check their facts though:
Dear Master Guzman, Osu!
I would like to take this time to reply to recent remarks about the Bas-I Kyokushin Open Karate Tournament; on October 31, in Miami Florida....
Although it was an open event, the Kyokushin Karate spirit, Kata and Kumite techniques were present.
Kata performances were well represented by Kyokushin Kata, as well as a variety of other Martial Arts styles,
The honest and consistent judging during entire day did not favor any one style over another...
Kyokushin Karate judges were included. Mixed judging panels worked for both kata and kumite divisions.
This was certainly a good thing, and helped to prevent overall judging from becoming one-sided.
Personally, I was pleased to see Kyokushin Karate style judges, with open judgment,
and being sensitive to competitor's technique and individual performance, not style.
After you decided to leave the event... Kumite divisions became additional highlights of the day.
According to preset rules, typical shin and hand pads, foam head/hands and foot gear, also special safety shoes, were allowed.
Different fighting gear preferences certainly did not make or brake any kumite competitors.
Children's kumite was exciting and was a learning experience for all the participants.
Safety was first , with many warnings against face punching.
Because some children competitors decided to leave early, kumite matches were forfeited.
Unfortunately, your "Kyokuyama Karate" students were not represented in the kumite divisions;
Please note: Sensei Nash, who is Kyokushin Karate style, should certainly be proud of his teen and adult students, who both won first place kumite,
via knock down . It was my pleasure, to be center referee for these matches and the many other kumite matches throughout the day.
I highly suggest and recommend your "Kyokuyama karate" and all other martial arts styles, to support and attend Bas-I Kyokushi Karate's future events.
My many years of training, fighting, teaching and developing karate, began in 1966, with Kyokushin Kai, under SosaiMastutsu Oyama.
Like for, Koncho Hanshi Newton James, this is an eternal positive life experience of karate, which will always continue to grow. Thank you.
Best regards,
Hanshi O. Lane
----
I never stated to be called sensei, or that my style was Kyokushin. I also am not Triston and his mates teacher, though I am flattered, no disrespect to their teacher or school.
I would like to thank Chris for putting me up and making the trip possible, as well as Jason for being my other second. To Theo and Daryl: Start training, and don't stop!
I look forward to returning in the winter for Triston's organization’s training, sparring Chris's friend again, and seeing Chris and all the new friends I made.
This trip had travel to the unknown, martial arts, eating and fantastic camaraderie.
Perfect
-Nash
p.s. My next mission was raising money to get the cooler, meat, trophy, and cereal...I am poor after all....
Lucky for me I had a friend I met in Japan who lives in Jacksonville Florida. Chris. An American with full philipino blood. A car racer, break dancer, and all around nice guy. I asked if he would be interested in going with me and being my second. He thought it sounded like a great idea, and suggested I stay at his place. Sounded good.
A few months of intense preparation later, I left for Florida.
I had come from the North. When I left it was cool and rainy; when I arrived in Florida it was in the 80's and humid...and I was wearing my jacket. Not for long though, I took it off and didn't put it back on until I left. While standing and waiting in the airport I heard a noise and turned around. I was greeted with a hearty "OSU!" and rei.
Chris and I played catch up on the way to his car, and I explained that because of the exorbitant fee I had to pay for a checked bag (tournament gear- cooler and middle meat), I was going to leave those things with him and send him money to mail them back. He agreed.
The first order of business was having an awesome meal (Korean), and meeting my other second and new friend, Jason. Jason is also a nice guy, and he was coming with me and Chris to Miami.
As we where driving, Chris mentioned there was a hotdog eating contest that night, and asked if I wanted to go. "Entering or spectating? 'cause I probably shouldn't enter something like that before a fight (remembering the arm wrestling tournament I crashed before a fight years prior... )." Chris laughed and said spectating. He said we could meet up with one of his friends, Jon, who was also going to be there. When we arrived at the hotdog eating place, there wasn't many people, but the place filled up quick. Spectators, competitors, and a news crew. We finally rant into Chris's friend Jon. As we where talking Jon said "hang on, I have to go" and left. As Chris, Jason, and I where talking, the announcer started doing competitor introductions. We all realized then that Jon wasn't just watching the contest with us, he was IN the contest. Chris didn't know he was even going to be in.
Announcer: "...and finally, Jon! Our Returning champion!!"
Apparently Chris didn't know he was the champion either. As the competition got underway, the race was close, but with hard work and our cheering, Jon was the winner!
Congratulations Jon!
After we left the contest we grabbed some food and headed back to Chris' place where I met his brother, Theo. Theo, like his brother, is a super nice guy. He has a great taste in food, and like to collect...everything. The rest of the night passed with us all hanging out.
The next day saw Chris and I going to various places and general things until night time arrived. This was when I met Daryl. Another of Chris' friends with similar interests to the rest of us. Daryl, Jason, Chris, and myself went to night club "Ivy" that night. Club Ivy was having a costume contest that night. Daryl went as a doctor; Chris was a ninja; Jason didn't dress up, but he kind of looked liked the Dali Lama's brother; and I went as Nash (or if you ask any of them- as Cody from the game "Final Fight"). When we got there, we ran into a few of Chris' other friends who where all dressed as a team of (very convincing) Luchadore. Chris went out and did some break dancing dressed as a ninja, which as we all know, is always great. His buddies wound up getting 3rd place in the costume contest.
Congratulations Team Masked Mexican Wrestler!
When we got back from the club, we all stood around and ate cereal at 4am with Theo. There was so much good cereal...
The next morning I decided I would just have a little of the cereal for breakfast. When Theo got home from work, his first words where "Who ate all the cereal?...Nash..." Chris did.
No, it was me.
That night Chris, Jason, and I left for Miami from Jacksonville, and Chris was going to drive it all straight through. We left at around 2am(or 3? It was early.). I had a fight ahead of me, so I tried to sleep, but it didn't work out very well. Jason was in a coma the minute he got into the car, and Chris....well the lack of sleep and the drive were taking their toll on his sanity.
We arrived at around 10am, and we where hungry. We decided to get some breakfast at a Publix grocery store that served breakfast. We got a traditional dirty south breakfast: Butter grits, cheese scrambled grease eggs, old biscuits, and fried fish. MISTAKE. On top of all the things I had to fight, I didn’t want to add diarrhea to the list.
Afterwords we arrived at the tournament sight. I had not been able to discern the information about the tournament before going. I wasn't sure of the rules, format, system, or anything else about the tournament. All I knew is that I needed to go. We looked around. We where in the "bad" part of Miami. The buildings and people looked pretty run down. However, everyone was really, really nice. "This is not the Miami Will Smith was singing about... when this is over, I want to go there." I said.
I walked in and registered for the ring Kumite. I asked if anyone else had registered yet, and they said yes. Walking around I met kancho James Newton, the head of the tournament, and the organization behind it: Bas-I Kyokushin. He is a very nice guy,skilled, and has a great Jamaican accent. He wished me the best. Then I came upon a T-shirt vendor. He told me they where 20usd. I asked if I won, if I could have one complimentary. "Ok, if you win, I will buy you one." said the vendor. Ok, and if I lose, I will buy one, I said. I was counting on winning, because I didn't have enough money...
Chris, Jason, and I went for a walk outside. We saw some of the officials. "Man, I can tell from the way you walk you are going to beat ass!" Well, I'll do my best. "Yeah, well I'm glad I'm not in this tournament to fight you." The 3 of us continued our walk. When we walked back in the other officials looked over at me. "That's him, that's the guy that is going to beat everyone up!"
I said I'd do my best.
The three of us then went and watch the tournament for a bit. After about half an hour, I decided I would get changed and warm up. Team Nash was off to the warm up room. I changed into the shirt that Hatate had given me at the world weight tournament in Japan, to cheer our district on. I felt if appropriate to wear then. During warm up I told Chris and Jason what I needed them to do as my seconds ( people in your corner who keep time, have bandages and ice, ect. and cheer you on). 30 minutes later we emerged. Ready.
I didn't know at the time I wouldn't be fighting for hours. This was the first annual of this tournament, meaning there would of course be some hiccups and growing pains,(and there where)but all in all it was run well.
As I was waiting and watching, I walked around for a bit. It was here I was approached by a guy I didn't know. "How old are you? Are you fighting in the youth division?" I laughed. "Yeah, I thought you where a knockdown fighter! I'm Triston." Nash. Turns out Triston was going to be 18 in a week or so, but still couldn't fight with the adults because he was still technically 17. I offered to help him warm up if he wanted to, as I grew tired of sitting and doing nothing. He took me up on it, and we had a light spar for about 10 minutes. He seemed to enjoy my techniques, and his teacher and dojo mates came over. We talked a great deal, and I was impressed by them, especially Triston, who had good technique for his age. I learned they had come from coco beach Florida, and had driven down just like Chris, Jason and myself. Triston and his group are a member of IKO3 (I believe...), and his teacher goes simply by "Sensei Dan" and seemed like a very nice man. Triston shared that his idol is Kenji Midori, because they are the same shape and style. I said mine is Andy Hug, for the same reasons.
During the course of the day I noticed a very large polish looking gentleman sitting in a chair at the other end of the arena. Watching. Though he was dressed in civilian clothes, I got the feeling he was a fighter. While I was helping Triston warm up, It felt like the guy was watching me. Later when Triston went to fight, I was back to standing around and started to cool down, so I started shadow boxing to stay warmed up. Again, it felt like this guy was watching me.
It was now Triston and his Dojo mate's (Kobe?) time to fight. I went to their area to cheer them on and shout reminders ("hands up!", "combinations!", "circle!", ect.). They dominated their opponents and won. It was great to watch.
Congratulations Triston and Kobe!
That was it for the daytime events. It was time for me to really get ready. Kancho James Newton came up to talk to me. "Are you ready? There has only been one other fighter signed up for the ring kumite, so you will only fight one person. Since there is only the two of you, you will be the main night fight. you will do great." Since there was only the one fight, the match style was more like that of a kickboxing setup rather than a tournament. Either way is fine with me. It was at this time that I saw the large polish man get up and head towards the warm up room. There was only 30 minutes until our fight.
15 minutes later:
Kancho approached me: " Did you see the large polish man sitting over their earlier? He is your opponent." I knew it! " He has been watching you all day." I thought so. "15 minutes ago, he left." .... where did he go? "No one knows, and we don't know if he will be back. If he does not come back, someone might take his place." .... "If no one comes.... there won't be a fight...."
I couldn't accept it. 15 minutes went by. "He's gone, no one came to take his place." My heart sank, and my emotions where heavy. I had sacrificed so much, sold many of my (few) possessions, given up much, trained intensely for months.... only to have this man leave. He either thought I would kill him, or it wasn't worth the time it would take to beat me up.
Either way the outcome was the same.
I volunteered to fight anyone. I also asked to still do the breaking. "You don't have to though...you still want to do breaking?" Yes. "I will just give you the materials, and you can take them with you." I thanked him, again volunteering to fight anyone. No takers.
I was able to spar Triston and one of his dojo mates though. They where the only people left in the place. Afterwords, Kancho came up to me "I watched you today, and just now. You are good, and you have true spirit. I know the trainer of the polish man, I am confident you would have won. You are still the winner, so you deserve this." He then handed me the ridiculously sized trophy. Though what he said may have been true, what I wanted was a fight. My fight.
Sensei Dan, Triston's teacher, seemed to get along well with me though, and invited me to come to their training camp in the winter. I just thought he was being polite, so I didn't take to to seriously. That is until he offered for me to stay with them, so I could attend. He seemed serious, and I would be a fool to pass up training with an elite in their organization. Plus they are nice people. They can count me in!
As I was leaving the venue I came upon T-shirt salesman. "Are you the winner?" I was declared winner. "But did you beat that opponent?" I'll beat any opponent you can give me. "But not THE opponent."
Give me the shirt.
And so, I got a nice shirt as a souvenir. Next it was off to "Will Smith's Miami"-South Beach, for Halloween.
The lack of sleep and the driving had taken their toll on Chris by this point. We had been keeping him artificially awake on "5 hour energy" drinks, and it was showing. He was not in his best condition.
South Beach was a beauty to look at, and the fact that it was Halloween made it that much more interesting. The people where jerks, however, and it made me wan to go back to broken Miami - Everyone was nice in "bad Miami". We all had fun though. Even in spite of Chris' emotional breakdown that was fueled by exhaustion, his self imposed sense of responsibility, and my getting hustled(the event was a very similar situation to the "Roppongi" trip. Bradley and Jeff would be able to imagine where "those people" took us, and where the money went). After we had had our fill, we headed back to Jacksonville.
With Chris Driving.
After about an hour he had to pull over and sleep for a few minutes. An hour later, same thing except he had to sleep for an hour. An hour after that, I told him to just go to bed, he needed it and we were in no hurry. After we slept for a couple hours we headed out again, finally getting back in the morning, at about 10am. Jason had been asleep since we first got in the car. The guy sleeps like a bolder, and I am slightly jealous.
We walked in to find that Theo and Daryl and some people had been partying for Halloween at Chris and Theo's house, while Chris, Jason and myself had been in Miami. Also, unknown to me at the time, Theo had procured a very large and realistic looking fake spider, which they had been going back and forth hiding in the house to freak each other out.
I announced, in my groggy state, that I was going to take a shower. I walked in, slid the shower door open, bent over to turn the water on, turned my head and found myself face to face with the largest spider there never was. "AAAAAHHHHH!" is what I heard fly from my mouth as I lept back and almost broke through the bathroom door. A chorus of laughter could be heard coming from the living room.
When my shower was over, I hid the thing under one of the towels in the shower, so when it was pulled down, it would seem like the spider was leaping on you in the shower. Take THAT Chris.
When I finished with my morning activities, Chris went to bed (he needed it. Bad.), and the rest of us spend the day sparring and hitting the middle meat. Once night fell we set out to meet some of Chris' friends for my "victory" dinner.
Everyone came, plus a couple of people I hadn't met yet. It was at a nice Japanese place. Chris was pouring warm sake and hot tea for people, and when Theo wanted some tea, and got the cups mixed up, his face was priceless. Another "Theoism" acured when Theo frustratingly asked "Am I the only person here who DOESN'T speak Japanese?!" As Chris and I where leaving the dinner in his car, one of his female friends announced from the parking lot that she had studied martial arts before (Taekwondo, I think), and wanted to spar. I got out of the car and we sparred in the parking lot. Good times. I would love to continue the match. Afterwords, Chris took me to an amazing Ice Cream Place. I had to obstain from ice cream for months as preparation for the tournament, so the treat was that much more special. Also, I got an even more personal treat when, on the way to dinner, Chris took me to a philipino grocery and bought me a traditional philipino dessert. Halo-halo. It's a shaved ice kind of thing with carnation milk, a lot of mixed fruits and random things in there like leche flan or sweet potato ice cream. Amazing. It's great, and I had been missing cold things.
When the night was finally over, Chris and I headed back to his place. My flight was at 6am the following morning, so we had to leave for the airport at around 4am. We decided to just stay up the whole night and leave when we needed.
Too much excitement I guess... Chris fell asleep at around 1am. I couldn't figure out how to work his Television, so I watched cartoons. Though I certainly didn't mind.
Chris and I left for the airport, leaving behind the cooler, middle meat, trophy, and Theo's signature cereal he got me as a souvenir.
At the airport we exchanged "OSU!" and rei, and parted ways.
My flight landed at 11:30am. I had somewhere to be by noon. Having not slept in a while, looking disheveled, and arriving from a travel, I started a new day. No Change.
A couple of Days after being back, I received an email from someone at the tournament reporting to someone who left early. It was not addressed to me, and I have no idea how they got my mail address. I assume it was a carbon copy. The person reporting was giving an overview of the tournament, but there was one special mention and it involved someone you might know. See if you can find it. The person might want to check their facts though:
Dear Master Guzman, Osu!
I would like to take this time to reply to recent remarks about the Bas-I Kyokushin Open Karate Tournament; on October 31, in Miami Florida....
Although it was an open event, the Kyokushin Karate spirit, Kata and Kumite techniques were present.
Kata performances were well represented by Kyokushin Kata, as well as a variety of other Martial Arts styles,
The honest and consistent judging during entire day did not favor any one style over another...
Kyokushin Karate judges were included. Mixed judging panels worked for both kata and kumite divisions.
This was certainly a good thing, and helped to prevent overall judging from becoming one-sided.
Personally, I was pleased to see Kyokushin Karate style judges, with open judgment,
and being sensitive to competitor's technique and individual performance, not style.
After you decided to leave the event... Kumite divisions became additional highlights of the day.
According to preset rules, typical shin and hand pads, foam head/hands and foot gear, also special safety shoes, were allowed.
Different fighting gear preferences certainly did not make or brake any kumite competitors.
Children's kumite was exciting and was a learning experience for all the participants.
Safety was first , with many warnings against face punching.
Because some children competitors decided to leave early, kumite matches were forfeited.
Unfortunately, your "Kyokuyama Karate" students were not represented in the kumite divisions;
Please note: Sensei Nash, who is Kyokushin Karate style, should certainly be proud of his teen and adult students, who both won first place kumite,
via knock down . It was my pleasure, to be center referee for these matches and the many other kumite matches throughout the day.
I highly suggest and recommend your "Kyokuyama karate" and all other martial arts styles, to support and attend Bas-I Kyokushi Karate's future events.
My many years of training, fighting, teaching and developing karate, began in 1966, with Kyokushin Kai, under SosaiMastutsu Oyama.
Like for, Koncho Hanshi Newton James, this is an eternal positive life experience of karate, which will always continue to grow. Thank you.
Best regards,
Hanshi O. Lane
----
I never stated to be called sensei, or that my style was Kyokushin. I also am not Triston and his mates teacher, though I am flattered, no disrespect to their teacher or school.
I would like to thank Chris for putting me up and making the trip possible, as well as Jason for being my other second. To Theo and Daryl: Start training, and don't stop!
I look forward to returning in the winter for Triston's organization’s training, sparring Chris's friend again, and seeing Chris and all the new friends I made.
This trip had travel to the unknown, martial arts, eating and fantastic camaraderie.
Perfect
-Nash
p.s. My next mission was raising money to get the cooler, meat, trophy, and cereal...I am poor after all....