Let me preface this by saying, I know life is not fair....however, I'm allowed to be upset, vent, then move on. :)
So, I am in Santiago, Chile for my 3rd ever World Cup tournament. I received a decent draw, which I was happy about. BUT the outcome didn't go as planned. First first match was against a Chilean girl (I hate going against the hometown girls!) Anyways...so the match started, she came out aggressive (almost spazzy). No big deal, I can manage. Next exchange nothing really happens so I get a shido (penalty). It was rather quick, so I figured that's how the whole tournament would be...shido happy. So I knew from that moment on that I had to be the aggressor; make more attacks than she did. So that's what I did...however she received no shidos (figures). Alright...11 seconds in the match. I had to score. I got my grip, pumped my his (to make her react) then went in for an uchimata. I threw her! Look at the ref, he verifies and gives me a score. No time on the clock....I won!!! Then come the boos and hisses from the Chileans; almost everyone in the gym. We line up to present the winner, shake hands and bow. At this point the ref waves off my score. She "wins" the match because I receive a shido at the beginning of the match. I asked if I could see the review or at least know why it was called off. It made no sense! But I was left without an answer and out of the tournament.
After the match I had teammates and people from other countries say I got screwed over, so I have some valid concerns and complaints. But, like I said....it's life. Things aren't always fair. But what I did learn is that I AM a fighter. I CAN compete at and win on this level. It might take some more matches and experience....but it will come. I am a fighter. I am a judoka. I am an athlete. I will continue to improve and succeed.
So, I am in Santiago, Chile for my 3rd ever World Cup tournament. I received a decent draw, which I was happy about. BUT the outcome didn't go as planned. First first match was against a Chilean girl (I hate going against the hometown girls!) Anyways...so the match started, she came out aggressive (almost spazzy). No big deal, I can manage. Next exchange nothing really happens so I get a shido (penalty). It was rather quick, so I figured that's how the whole tournament would be...shido happy. So I knew from that moment on that I had to be the aggressor; make more attacks than she did. So that's what I did...however she received no shidos (figures). Alright...11 seconds in the match. I had to score. I got my grip, pumped my his (to make her react) then went in for an uchimata. I threw her! Look at the ref, he verifies and gives me a score. No time on the clock....I won!!! Then come the boos and hisses from the Chileans; almost everyone in the gym. We line up to present the winner, shake hands and bow. At this point the ref waves off my score. She "wins" the match because I receive a shido at the beginning of the match. I asked if I could see the review or at least know why it was called off. It made no sense! But I was left without an answer and out of the tournament.
After the match I had teammates and people from other countries say I got screwed over, so I have some valid concerns and complaints. But, like I said....it's life. Things aren't always fair. But what I did learn is that I AM a fighter. I CAN compete at and win on this level. It might take some more matches and experience....but it will come. I am a fighter. I am a judoka. I am an athlete. I will continue to improve and succeed.
Overall tournament venting
Just some overall thoughts, opinions, and unfortunate "situations" about Chile...
I'll travel back to NY (24 hours worth) work and train a few days, then head off to Miami and try it again. Miami will be a lot more difficult but I'm hoping for the best.
- Inconsistencies with calls
- Undeniable favoritism towards South Americans
- Not having adequate transportation to the tournament (some athletes weren't able to get to the tournament site until 30 minutes before the tournament started).
- It was an ice box in the stadium we fought...freeeeeeezing!
- They were inconsistent with following the rules, for example: there is a 5% rule. Meaning, right before we fight, they randomly pick athletes and weigh them. They must be within 5% of their fighting weight. If you are over, you do not fight. At this tournament, they allowed some people over their weight anywhere between .1-.5kg to fight...yet some people that were over were not allowed to fight. CRAZY. Either make rules and FOLLOW them or don't make them!
- There's so much more....but honestly I'm sick of thinking about it and I'm sure you're sick of reading it.
I'll travel back to NY (24 hours worth) work and train a few days, then head off to Miami and try it again. Miami will be a lot more difficult but I'm hoping for the best.