29/03/2013
TEAM CANADA captured 4th at the World Shuai-Chiao Kung Fu Championships in Yi Xing, China (also referred to as Tian Dilong International Invitational).
When people ask me about my dreams regarding this martial sport, I have stated that I don’t have dreams – I make plans. Dreams are a disconnection from getting things done. Plans are part of the process of making things happen. But I suppose being one of the top three countries was something of a dream.
Placing top 6 again would have been enough. We knew that this was going to be a tougher competition than the last one. Placing top 6 again would prove that our previous success hadn’t been just a fluke. Placing even higher was a goal that seemed remote, but possible.
When I learned that we had placed 4th, my heart nearly leapt from my chest. This was momentous. But, it became even a little tastier when my student, Jeremy reminded me that since China’s A and B teams took first and second, we were, in fact, the third highest country in the world in Shua-Chiao Kung Fu.
Canada’s B Team consisted of just two fighters: Sean Bardgett and Tom Fancsy. They had similar experience. Each spanked a fighter from a South American country and then, unfortunately, both were eliminated after each suffered two close-scoring losses. Still, both looked like they belonged out there.
This was not the only trouble we faced. I sent Nick Hand on Mission Improbable. Though he is only an intermediate level student, Nick entered what is generally known as one of the toughest divisions. This year was no exception. Nick had a tough draw and was eliminated from competition early. Nick is quick study and has progressed in this martial art/combat sport unusually quickly; but, the much more experienced competition was a little too much. He is not at all discouraged, however. Nick is aware that with continued dedication, he has the capability of being among the best in the world.
Our big boys ran into some trouble when we discovered they’re not that big.
Trevor Labonte entered the super-heavyweight division, 100+ kg (220+ pounds), weighing in at only 200 pounds. His lightest competitor was about 250 and his heaviest opponent weighed in at 286. Despite his quick feet and energetic approach, that was too much for this talented rookie. But, he snagged a fifth place finish.
Colin Cooper (our light-heavyweight) weigh-in at only 188 in the 198 division. Heavyweight, Jerrett Hansen suffered some inexplicable weight loss just two weeks before the competition. He, too, weigh-in at only 188 for the 220-and-under division. Their opponents clearly had cut weight to make those two divisions. In fact, it would appear the Chinese and Mongolian athletes were given some ‘wiggle-room’ for their weigh-ins.
Colin and Jerrett’s matches were similar: being of comparable skill level to their opponents, the first half of their matches were uneventful. Neither they nor their opponents were able to score much. Then their opponents would switch to tactics in which their strength advantage would assist them. Fluidly applied thunderous shucks sent Colin’s hands and Jerrett’s hands to the mat. They looked stunned as their opponents began capturing cheap, easy points this way.
In the end, Colin had no official placing and had to settle for Top Twelve (a 4-man tie for 9th place). Jerrett faired a little better in the placings and snatched a 6th place.
Alicia Albert had a similar experience. Alicia weighed-in at 74 kg, only to be told that her division was empty. 74 kg is a tough division; people are known to run from it by cutting to the 68 division, but no one expected everyone to cut out of it.
This should have left Alicia with a Gold Medal and earned our team 9 points; however, we were told of a by-rule that states that no points will be awarded unless the athlete has someone to fight. So, Alicia bravely opted to fight in the women’s super-heavyweight division, though her opponents towered over her. And had a 40 to 50 pound advantage. Alicia placed 4th.
Our other ladies had great weekends.
Melanie LaCourciere fought well above her rookie status and took 5th.
Her training partner, Jazz Butler, who has only a little more experience, grabbed a Silver Medal – the highest placement of the Canadian team.
15 year old, Joey Li has the distinction of being the only teenager of his division to not forfeit from the tournament upon realizing that most of the competitors were men in their 20’s and 30’s with more than 15 years experience. For his bravery, Joey was given 6th place.
Jeremy Kurcz placed 4th. It was his second proudest moment of the trip. The proudest moment being a ceremony wherein he received his black belt. After 7and half years of training in the martial art, science and sport of shuai-chiao kung fu. Jeremy now carries the rank of Sifu.
Ernesto Bernal had a rough start, but fought his way back to the Bronze Medal match. Therein, he and his American counterpart fought to a draw. After much deliberation, the officials made the unprecedented decision to award the fighters a tie for 3rd place, as one seemed no less worthy than the other.
Matt Hand also took home the Bronze medal. Matt’s technical proficiency during this championship was the most impressive of all the Canadian fighters.
Congratulations to TEAM CANADA!
