Winning
Fighting in the 1999 USAKF (United States of America Karate Federation) Nationals was when I got my first taste of what a truly bitter-sweet moment really is. The qualification rounds were finally over. There were 212 girls in my division and only two spots open for the championship round. Whoever made it through the qualifications without losing would earn the spots in the championship match. This meant that I had to make it through 38 matches without losing in order to attain my goal. I was ecstatic after I won my 38th match and realized that it was my last. I had made it. My excitement swiftly turned to apprehension when I saw who would be joining me in the championship match. Kumi Takayoko. Kumi was from Japan and had won the past three USAKF Nationals. I’ve never met her before, (this was my first nationals) but I’ve seen her fight before. She was a marvelous fighter. It’s odd that the thing I remember most about her was that she had feet like my 76year old grandma. Anyways, Kumi and I had to shake hands and wish each other good luck before we left.