Leaving in the morning!

[Ghosted3]

As the title says I am leaving for NAGA Ohio tomorrow morning, its about a 6 hour drive for me lol. Thanks to everyone for giving me advice on the random questions I have been asking the past 2 weeks reguarding tourney stuff, I really appreciate it. I will let you guys know how I did when I get back, and hopefully my wife remembers how to use the camera :p

[Ari Bolden]

Goog luck and have fun!

[Tom Gavrilos]

Have a great time bro!

[Ryan]

Can't wait to see how you do!

[Dannicus]

Go Go Go!!!! Good Luck Bro!

[Ghosted3]

Back, and sadly I didnt do very well, but its ok Im not down about it at all really. First match was a novice no gi (6 months and under), had a good roll and got caught in a gullotine and couldnt move to his side before he got his guard up. Later I found out that he was in the blue belt divison with 2 stripes, so something tells me he was sandbagging a little bit. Second match (gi) I got mounted as we were going off of the mat, the ref restarted us, but the guy on top slid his arm under mine (perfect placement for an armbar) right before the ref said go, and I didnt have time to adjust, so I got sub'd again lol. It was a good experience, too bad I couldnt not have fought more than once in each class though. Drive over 750 miles ( round trip ) and waited for 6 hours for 2 matches. Its all good though. Thanks for everyones support, I really appreciated it!.

[Hadaka Jime]

not many people do well in there first performance, atleast you put the time and training into it and went out and tried, and the whole thing where he got position before the ref started you is bs, there should be no advantage that was not already there before moved to the middle of the mat... and the guillotine is tough to get out of especially from guard, i usually use a space maker, where you have your hand cupped in a C sort of shape like your holding a beer can, and when i get in a guillotine i take that hand and place it where the leg meets the groin at the very top of the thigh, and you have your thumb on the down side and you dig it in and pich your thumb and press it to try and meet your other 4 fingers in the middle of the leg, it is a sort of pressure point and they shake or squirm so you can slide your head out or atleast losen the grip enough to use your other hand and pull the arm off... try it next time you roll, i think it works on 90% of people, but may not be allowed because pressure points are usually not allowed in most matches

glad to hear you had fun, and look forward to some pics?!:)

[Ari Bolden]

Great to hear you had a good time. Its the experience that matters afterall.

The 2 things I never like about comps is that long waits and schools that stack the divisions (blues fighting in white, purple's fighting in blues)...it happens more than people think.

[Ghosted3]

What I dont understand is how can someone register as a novice and be a 2 stripe blue belt. I mean dont you think when they go to pick up their cards and stuff the staff should catch on to the fact that there is a pretty extreme difference in ability there. My wife also reminded me that the guy who won the intermediate cruiser weight no gi (my division) came into the gi part as a stripeless white belt lol. As far as pictures go I can give you some of Jorge Gurgel...my wife took alot of him lol. She had the vid camera on me, sadly it is the old fashioned tape style vid cam so I dont know how to put up a vid :( I cant wait to compete again though. This is going to make me train harder and get into better shape. It seemed like everyone there was in pretty peak form.

[Ryan]

Congrats on gaining experience and not getting down on yourself. Don't worry about the wife..... mine likes Jorge too. I think its a natural thing all women go through.

[Dondo]

Props to you for the courage, training and focus to go out there and do it. as you continue to progress you'll look back at this and realize that this was the first step to ascending the mountain. it may be the hardest, but when you are on top, it will seem like a distant memory that had to be overcome to get where you are. can't wait to hear about your victories when you enter your next tourney! peace...