Fight-o!

So Sunday was the Iaido tournament, which was crazy! Turns out it was a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be so when I walked in to what was esentially a large stadium filled with a large-ass crowd of sword-bearing individuals, it was all I could do to keep from clutching on to my Iaido-sensei's arm and asking him to hold me. Luckily I maintained my composure.

I didn't make it very far though, since I was more nervous than I ever remember being for a tournament in my life. I normally don't get nervous for things like that but in Iaido you have to perform the katas really slowly and so there is no outlet for those feelings of giddiness. I was amazed at the fact that I kept my outward calm at least, despite being surrounded by all Japanese people giving me instructions in Japanese only and with everyone nearby staring at the large, blond foreigner. I performed my set ok, but the first round is against two other random people and you have to be better than both to advance. I was not the best and so that was that. I was pissed at my performance at first because I knew I could have done better but I had to laugh when Miyazaki-sensei came over and playfully swung his fists at me in admonishment, and told me that I will keep practicing and better kick some serious ass next year (well that's what I got from the grunts and broken Japanese-English that he was throwing my way).

My Iaido girls and Jen were also really great and I was really glad they had come. Jen consoled me after by maintaining that she thought my competition had slept with the judges -- sweet really. In the afternoon, Miyazaki-sensei competed with the other judges in the advance level competition and made it farther, but not to the finals. He was really amazing to watch though. The high point of the day however, was watching the really high level black belts do their forms. The level of skill and sword control was mind boggling! I will post pics soon I promise.