ADCC Thailand 2023
Photo by Grappler's smoking room
A striker walks into a grappling competition...
Sounds like the beginning of a joke, or just what I have decided to do with my December!
Unfortunately, both of my possible MMA fights didn't work out, and proactively I also injured my foot = no Muay Thai fight either. My friends suggest what any sane person would do, to rest. I instead registered for a grappling tournament, the last thing on my list of what I could compete in this year!
ADCC Thailand was a great event. I had so much fun. Also, this time I could compete in -65 kg, which was great, since last time, with my 63kg, I had to go to the nearest category which was -75kg.
I love to chat and joke around, including with my opponents, especially right before going to the mats. It took me years to realize I don't need to act reserved to perform well. There are people of course, who fight better if they don't express any positive emotions to their opponent. But I found out I am not one of them. I need to be silly, friendly, and excited. The match is not personal for me. Just like Muay Thai fighters, sitting on plastic chairs next to each other, covered in oil, and friendly chatting, can then go and kick the hell out of each other in the ring seconds later. This works the best for me.
We had a quite lot of women there this time! There were some 5 in my weight class and 10 registered for the Absolute category, in the intermediate level.
I did not perform well in my weight class category. I am not happy with my performance. But there are things I have been working on as an MMA athlete, such as wrestling defense, and I could say I am satisfied with what I showed. I had 4 tough matches, with really good opponents and I am very grateful for that. I learned a lot.
Right before the Absolute finals, my friend who just lost to the same fighter in her weight class finals, told me:
"She is strong. Jump flying armbar on her!"
So I laughed it off and walked on the mats.
Then my opponent jumped a flying armbar on me and submitted me.
Next time, we really need to specify who should submit whom.
So I ended up with a silver in the Absolute intermediate category.
Several hours of waiting, dozens of times of checking if it's my turn, 4 great matches, several new friends, old gang and friends from other gyms, lots of hugs (like LOTS OF), smiles before and after the mat time, wonderful day.
Oh, and also:
Hurting my left arm, right arm, right ear, right foot (still, surprisingly competing in the highest Thailand grappling competition did not heal my injury), forehead, and left wrist.
IDK, may do this again!
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