Our flight was scheduled on June 19, 2002. At the airport, I cannot explain my feeling; it is a mixture of happiness and sadness. I was happy because, it was my first time to travel abroad but a little sad because I was leaving my loved ones for quite a long time. We left around 1:30 p.m. and arrived at Canada about 9:00 p.m. the following day. It took us another two hours travel to arrive at Mackenzie, the place where we stayed. I was surprised when we arrived. There were so many foster parents waiting for us. They were to be our second parents during our stay in Canada. Jert Yao and I were in the same house while Paolo Israel, Rusky Sungalong and Jules Yao stayed in another. We got a two-day tour of Mackenzie, Canada. It was exciting because, everything was new to my sight. First day, we went to the Marfee Lake and to a Farm full of big and small horses. On the second day, we visited the world’s largest crusher, the Fire Department and the Museum. I was having so much fun, that I almost forgot about the tournament. Nervousness crept on me again when I was reminded of tomorrow’s event.

The KATA tournament ended quite well for us since we were not intending to join the kata events. Jert and Paolo both earned Silver medals in their age categories while Ruski and I manage to pull off a bronze medal finish in our agw categories. As usual, Japan gathered most of the gold medals save one event where they didn’t field any participant. We had a party after the KATA tournament. There was a police who seem to be our bodyguard. We had a good time dancing and had chance to meet new friends. The party ended at around 10:00 p.m. but would you believe the sun was still up? We took a good rest for the next day’s KUMITE events. I got nervous before my first bout because I heard that my opponent was well trained. I controlled my feelings by telling myself that my parent’s hard earned money and my sensei’s teachings would go to waste if I let nervousness get me. Fortunately, I won all my bouts until I have reached the finals. My last bout was a breath taking fight against Japan. We were given a one-minute extension after our 1-1 draw. Fortunately, I was able to counter my opponent’s Gyaku Tzuki (reverse punch). I was full of excitement because at that point of my life, I finally got my first gold medal! At last, I have two surprise medals that I can bring back to my beloved parents whom I am sure will be very proud of me.

When we are about to leave Canada, I felt the same feeling when I left the Philippines. I will miss the beautiful environment and the new friends that I met especially my foster parents. Together with others, we offered simple tokens to all our foster parents for remembrance. After long hours of flight back to the Philippines, I was so happy that I could not wait to see my parents and brothers. Yahooo! At last, I am home!

After all of these experiences, I would like to thank the Lord for blessing me. I would also like to thank my family whose love and support gave me the strength to hurdle the challenges of life. They are the instruments of God that made me give my best in all that I do. Given another chance, I would love to join another international tournament. Even with the hectic schedule, nervousness and hardships I have endured, I still want to experience it all again. After all, balancing schedules, overcoming hardships and controlling ones emotions is a part of every karatekas way of life.