Karate!

Paul has been taking karate lessons almost daily for the past two months. He really enjoys it, especially the fighting. When the studio announced that it was hosting a tournament, he signed up, ready to give it a shot. Everyone who participated would get a trophy, and special trophies would be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each age/belt group. Paul confessed to me that it would be pretty cool to get a 1st place trophy.

It was a new experience for all of us. The "pee wees," the kids up to age seven, went first. Ben and I watched in amused amazement as the tiny little ones strutted their stuff, going through the set moves of the various "forms" and then sparring with each other. I knew a couple of the little kids from school and was impressed by what they could do.

Meanwhile, Paul was meditating, going over his moves in his mind, and stretching while waiting his turn.

When his group was called, there were only three kids in it, meaning that Paul would certainly receive one of the bigger trophies. That would be nice, but I knew he'd rather "win" one, than just getting one by default for being in a small group.

The first event was "forms," meaning how well you performed a series of set moves. Paul got third place for that event.

The second event was fighting. Due to a foot problem, Paul has to wear shoes when he does karate, and therefore wasn't allowed to kick. He could only get points by striking a punch. Despite this handicap, after six fights Paul was awarded the second place trophy.

He was one happy camper!