GOOD ENDING FOR A BETTER BEGINNING

I represented Selangor for National Shito-ryu Rakan Wajadiri Championship 2008 in Dewan FRU, Jalan Padang Tembak,Penang last December 2008..

t was indeed a tournament that I have been waiting for since last 2 years as the last time it was organized was in year 2006, since this is the only place for all big family of shito-ryu all over Malaysia can meet each other and of course, to compete in a healthy yet competitive environment.

I was previously managed to get Gold Medal in Kata Individual events in year 2005 and 2006, therefore this time around I just focus on my kumite category so the younger athletes could get the exposure for kata:) Indeed I believe this is the right way to do...and I was so happy, many new faces turned up and obviously Sabah team have shined in the Kata event, as it was worth it since they have been travelling so far from across the South China Sea..Congratulation to senseis who have guided them, Sensei Thomas and Sensei John Jikun. OMEDETO!

Back to my event, kumite below 60 kg, (ohh I have gained weight since last 2 years coz my category was below 55 last 2 years, haha;) indeed it was aN 'acceptable uneasy' fight all the way to final. As I have been off from tournaments for quite some months, indeed the first 30 seconds in the first round was like "a cultural shock" for me..but Alhamdulillah, through a 3 weeks intensive preparation, under Sensei Hardi at the UIA Seinshinkan Dojo and tactical analysis with Sensei Fadhil some 4 days before the tournaments, finally the podium was mine..

FROM MY HEART, THANK YOU VERY MUCH SENSEIS!!!

It was not an easy task, being a team manager at the same time need to compete and manage the team's one day before preparation (like video stimulation, light training and stretching, and even team warming up in the morning of the tournament day as I was the most senior athlete) , but I made it as the key words that we need to always remember are

1) REMAIN FOCUS ON YOUR TASK: MANAGE WHEN U NEED TO MANAGE THE TEAM & COMPETE WHEN U NEED TO COMPETE

2) THE NATURE OF BEING SENPAI, SOME RESPONSIBLITIES WILL BE LAID ON YOUR SHOULDER, SO JUST DO YOUR BEST..:)

aFter all, what I really want to emphasize here is that, as long as you believe in yourself (but not over confident) and trust in The Almighty, InsyaAllah u'll get what u've paid.

Like this GOLD MEDAL, I never thought to get it before the tournament even during I was competing.

I just take EVERY ROUNDS SERIOUSLY AS IF IT IS MY FINAL ROUND. That was what my coach during I represented Kuala Lumpur in SUKMA 2004 (Sensei P Arivalagan, who is currently the National Coach) have constantly remind me..And it is very true,thank u sensei.

Alhamdulillah, I just DID MY BEST, AND I WAS IN THE BEST CONDITION THAT DAY ALHAMDULILLAH AND ALSO ALLAH HAS MADE THE LUCK FOR ME..= that are the ingredients of the winning, I suppose.

Thank u to all. Once again.

Year 2009, hope more success will come, insyaAllah!