Since I was defeated by my ex-student and team partner Ricky Vendetta at the Winter War wrestling show last Saturday, I decided to point out a few details of what happened that evening. I guess in the end of the day it was the heat of the challenge that gave Ricky the extra edge to overcome the serenity I hold as strength thanks to my experience - to Ricky it was not just another match, whereas I've been in the very situation many times before. So I can now look at it as a chance to re-learn some of the martial art teachings I haven't had my mind set on recently.
Instead of a typical lock up I chose to apply: a bit of Dumog kind of approach for starters. See how I claim the arm, and note the strong stance - clearly different from that of Ricky's.
You might think one prefers to stand taller than the opponent, but I'm going lower istead. I want to make sure he doesn't pull me over, and I can see the influence of Japanese swordmanship there as well.
When there's not much distance the front kick is sometimes either a "scrape" or simply weak. Not in my case. I bring the knee high up and drive the foot forwards in a stomp-like manner. This I learned from the ninjas of Togakure ryu.
They often expect the clinch but one can also go reverse: "The dragon whips with its tail", said Bruce Lee.
I thought Ricky Vendetta couldn't surprise me in the ring but he did (well at least he's standing outside). An intelligent move to first retreat and then quickly strike while I'm feeling confident.
A variation of chin lock where he's grabbing the beard - and why wouldn't he? As long as any body part may work as a handle one must use it, and Ricky is not a stupid wrestler.
Nothing much to do in a position like that, as you're supposed to go down anyway. One must simply take the blow and come back with a game plan to ensure it's the opponent who goes down the next time.
Ricky going for submission. Good for him, but then again he's not The Original Constrictor. The hold is not nearly as tight it could be, so I didn't have that much trouble getting my foot on the rope. He should have paid more attention when I taught him how it's done in catch-as-catch-can.
Speaking of which, here's a nice photo of my half-hatch suplex. I've got the opponent hooked in two different ways and I take him off balance by pulling to the one direction that's "empty" - it is the rotating move that makes him light and allows me to gain control over the head and the arm immediately after hitting the mat.
Ricky may beat me in strength, but never in speed and agility. Not only can I avoid his attack, but also turn the situation into an instant counter-strike.
Didn't quite get him this time - there should be more weight behind the kick, and that's done by floating in the air so that you can really have yourself in the right position. Do take the time required and never rush into the next phase, just rely on the rhythm of the situation and do what's necessary.
The outcome of a single move poorly executed. Anybody can make a mistake, but the price of that may very easily be losing the bout; see that he's not just bringing me to the mat, he's tossing me across the ring - I'm literally about to land on my neck with the force of the move behind the crash.
My Muay Thai coach told me: "Always make sure you get the last point." He meant the rounds, but since we don't have them it's one piece of advice that concerns every situation to me. Not only in combat arts, but in life is the way I see it. In this particular case I want the opponent to land heavily...
... and myself to land heavily on him. See, Ricky Vendetta wasn't the only person in the ring with the fire of battle.
A significant part of our fine art is that anything can happen. The rules and the actual fighting style in pro wrestling serve the element of unpredictability, so it's a huge emotional experience for the spectator when the person doesn't know whether to expect the unexpected or even something beyond belief. Yet it only takes that 3 count to lose, which means that eiher participant might be the better one at least for the number of seconds required. Hybris goes before a fall.
It was the same with the Championship match as well. Valentine and King Kong Karhula are both excellent wrestlers, but while watching the bout I was certain that the latter would take the title due to the pure determination so clearly visible in him. Sometimes it's good to be wrong - it gives you more.
