2008: A Look Back (MMA)

2008 was a big year for Metamora Martial Arts.

For nearly a year we’d been planning on an open tournament, and on April 5, 2008, we did just that. Eight schools, 70+ divisions, 100+ competitors. Lucky for me, I was put in charge of a ring for the first time, and I think I did a good job. Not great, but for first-time, on-the-job training, I don’t think I did too bad. Here’s to another awesome tournament on April 4, 2009!

I got to train a few different ways this summer, courtesy of Mr. Hawkey. Black belts did some private training at his home in Sparland, in a secluded woodsy area. And, as if that wasn’t enough, he also taught whoever was interested the beginnings of the sai. It’s my goal to get certified in the sai, but my schedule last semester and apparently the forthcoming one are going to prevent that from happening because I’m not available to see him for certification.

It was also over the summer that we realized we’d won some awards from Black Belt Magazine. Metamora Martial Arts was named Best Children’s Program and Best Humanitarian Act (for our Relay For Life break-a-thon). For a program that’s only been around just shy of 7 years, I think that’s an awesome accomplishment. Go big or go home.

The Missouri trip was somewhat bittersweet. The trip was pretty fun – mostly chillin with Adam and a few others. The busride was especially fun, for me, because we were jammin tuneskis from the iPod, and I was leading the charge singing for the group. I think everybody seemed to enjoy it, and I was completely hoarse the next day and didn’t really want to talk. However, one little incident kind of blew up – winding up in my suspension from MTHS for three months and severely threatening my future as the chief instructor at MGS. The details are stupid, but suffice it to say that everybody needs to stick to their own business and not worry about bringing others down with them.

After that little incident, my spot as the chief instructor at MGS was secure. Mr. Chianakas has finally realized his dream of having three black belt instructors lead his grade schools. Plus, Justin and Adam are also in charge of their own schools, and I think the fact that us three are playing such a big part in this now nationally recognized program is awesome. Being an instructor at MGS since the very first night we opened there, this whole thing is pretty cool.

We also got to prove that we do serve the community through a blood drive we hosted in August. Since I couldn’t give blood because of the tat I got in January, I was still able to help out and Susan said we had a great turnout. From the sounds of things, it sound like we’ll still be able to do it next August.

So if we did all this in 2008, it looks like we have some damn big shoes to fill in 2009.