My First Tournament
By Brandi Rae

I could remember my first tournament. I was a white belt and I was 8 years old. It was our inter-club tournament. I was so nervous that I thought I was going to vomit.

When we arrived a the Church on Niagara St. I walked through the door and stopped dead in my tracks and there were a lot of people. My mom said "there's nothing to worry about, you'll do fine". That's easy for you to say, I thought.

Then I heard "white belt 8 year old boys and girls, ring 1". As I walked toward the ring my legs and arms felt heavy I was so nervous.

We all sat down. I kept looking at my mom and giving her a hint I was going to vomit. It felt like an eternity though it was only 5 minutes, then I heard those dreaded words, "up next Brandi Rae". As I got up I took a deep breath and proceeded to the ring.

I stood there and said in my head, Brandi, this is it. You're going to forget your kata". The next thing I knew it was over. I stopped and thought, "that wasn't so bad after all!"

So here I am today. I'm a blue belt and I still get nervous but that's natural, but I will never ever forget my first tournament!!

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