Bucklerthon – The Climb #301

Saturday 18^th November 2017

To be honest, I went to support my students.
I really wasn’t in the mood to fight today. My thoughts were elsewhere, I was worried about taking another hit on my right thigh (which is still purple from Wessex Reading last month). But for people I’ve trained for the best part of 6 months this was their first time competing in a competition and I wanted to be there for them.
Sword & Buckler isn’t my main weapon combination so I wasn’t worried about how well I performed today. I’m much more concerned about Wessex Bath next weekend where I’m fighting rapier & dagger.
So the drive was relaxed. The only tension was running a bit late and being worried that I might be late for the start (I wasn’t). I played my tournament playlist and tried to focus my thoughts on fighting. I was concerned that I’d missed training on Wednesday and as a result was missing some much needed practise. But my mind kept drifting off onto other things.
I felt good though. My sparring on Sunday felt solid and fluid and so my hope was that I’d at least have good form.
I fought in the Steel invitational. This is really just meant to be a showcase of good fighting, rather than overshadow the main event with nylon swords (as happened last year). We were fighting a swiss system that saw everyone get 4 fights.
My first was against Sasha, who everyone pretty much knew would win it. But I’m pleased to say I got hits and didn’t get annihilated. I can’t remember who my second fight was against but I won that, plus my fight against Darren. My final fight was against Sam who I really enjoy fighting where I lost by just a point.
I was pretty sure that I was out… and to be honest I wasn’t that bothered. But I would have liked another quarter-final place if only to continue my run this year (Swordfish doesn’t count). So I was pleased when I found I’d just scraped through.
I had to fight Sasha again and got more solidly defeated this time, which meant I then had to fight Sam a second time for 3^rd place. I always hate fighting for bronze. I think it’s tougher than the gold medal match because at least both of those are guaranteed medals. However, after another technical fight, it was victory to me this time.
So I took bronze.
Obviously I’m over the moon, and not just because my quarter-final or better run has continued. It’s my second medal this year (and in a different discipline). I also feel that I’ve demonstrated why I’m qualified to teach.
With that done I jumped into score-keeping for the main event. I’ve been saying very publically that I thought my Godalming students would do very well, and was over the moon when 3 of them made the quarter finals.
When two of them made the finals I made a point of coaching for them. Sam had a tough fight for bronze, but I told him to focus on his strengths. Obviously he did all the hard work but I’m pleased he seemed to take it in and ultilise it to win. Sarah said I was more nervous than he was.
Luke was fighting for gold and seemed a little panicked by it all so I reminded him that he’d got a medal whatever and that seemed to calm him down. I gave him the same coaching as Sam – basically they are both tall so I said got for shallow targets and not allow their opponents to close measure – and nearly jumped through the sports hall roof when he won.
We went to our usual post-training pub for dinner and then I drove home, getting back around 10pm.
It’s been a good day and I’m certainly glad to have earned my 3^rd medal. I feel I’m demonstrating that I’m a solid all-round fighter.
Last year I was defensive and reactionary. I said this would be the year of my offense. I’m pretty sure I’m demonstrating that. 2016 was the year I said I’d try and catch everyone up, 2017 would be the year I got good.
I think I’m doing that!
If you want to follow more of my journey, then be sure to check me on my social channels. Likewise, if you’d like me to expand on any point mentioned above, please say so in the comments.