Yep, I’m nuts. I just competed in the Maryland State Karate Championships after a several year retirement from competition. I have however retired myself for a while if not longer again though. I pulled a hamstring during the competition. I threw a ftont thrust kick in practice and pulled my hamstting. Imagine the feeling. I trained for months to get ready and pull a muscle the night before. The next day after much stretching and advil I felt pretty good but right in the middle of the kata I felt it pop. I still had several difficult moves to perform and tried not to let on that I’d hurt myself. I guess the look on my face fooled people and they must’ve thought I was really intense but I was really grimacing in pain.
I took home first place and was very happy that it all worked out after all of the training I put in. I was crazy after all these years and I set my mind on it. I just had too. It’s rare anymore when I see a tournament with age divisions that are set up for guys my age and I couldn’t pass up this tournament. I just set my sights on it and planned on winning. I didn’t consider losing. I trained harder than anyone in my division could. I trained harder than I ever had in my life. I knew I couldn’t lose. I think this competition proved that god has a sense of humor and likes to keep us humble. It’s really weird because I haven’t pulled a hamstring for 20 years.
I just want you to understand that if you set a goal and believe in it you can do it. The are the several point one must know!
If you can concieve it and believe it, you can achieve it!
“People with goals succeed because they know where they are going… It’s as simple as that.”- Earl Nightingale
Written by:
Shihan Perry Culver / 7th degree Black Belt / Owner Operator of Culver Karate Club
