Submitted by Goh Ray June:

A friendly match was held on SMJK Kwang Hua, 16thJune 2012, a match to prepare the students for sparring in the upcoming powersport event. It kicked off with mostly primary school’s students hesitatingly testing their strength and skills, then graduating to the more vicious kicks from the bigger boys. Some are quite inexperienced and spent time kicking in the air before sliding backwards and ducking any possible aims, and so their main weakness is their ability to measure distances. As they fought on, some became quickly out of breath and tired,often sliding a second too late and aiming kicks lacking in power and giving chance to their opponent to score easily. Even those with great strength and stamina find themselves colliding often and though matches between two of equal skills from the black belts are entertaining, some lacked the fine skill of aiming their kicks in the right places and finding the chink in their opponent’s armor.

I found myself constantly stepping out of the box unaware, and being deducted of marks. Learning the lesson only when it’s over, i wanted to remind those going on the sparring event to check the rules and be sure of the boundaries so that it will become an advantage for you rather than a place to make unnecessary mistakes. Be sure that your tactics were absolutely accepted before they became dirty when you spar, like pushing or knocking away your opponent with your hands.

This was a great opportunity for the referees to test their skills, and no doubt they will need more events like these to become experienced rather than just trained. Even spectators learned something from just watching the matches going on, and there were much talk going on debating about skills and weaknesses among the spectators. Fighters alike were a good sport, even after a little bruising and falls, but it will be greater benefit to those who exchanged opinions with their opponents after their match. We might find out more from our opponents than we might think.

While young ones tested the waters and the old ones put all in the match, the next match will be much awaited as we will look for more chances to watch and learn (or fight and learn).

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