Mix feelings came up as I watched videos of that night's event. It was an amazing night and Sing was really successful in his organising of this charity fight I must say. Response for the tickets was remarkably well, drawing a crowd of about a thousand people.
No excitement nor nervousness whatsoever when I stepped into the fight venue. Only signs of tiredness. I sat at the back of Sing's truck as I waited for the trainers to get ready. Familiar faces everywhere: the referees, the judges, the mc, the promoters, the villagers of Naiharn and Rawai, staff from Bangala Boxing Stadium etc. I was greeted by the Thai's friendly smiles and wishes as they walked in from the entrance. I was pretty surprised that most of them actually know my name!
The mc starts commentating as the audiences took their seats. He kept the crowd amused with his humorous and entertaining commentary. Starting with the most junior fights, Roman was the first to represent our gym.
Finally, I was being called up for pre-fight preparations. As much as I wanted to watch him fight, I hastily made my way to the stretch of tents meant for the fighters. Everyone was busy. All the trainers were diligently attending to their fighters. The make-up place was simple, just a few planks of wood placed on the ground and some chairs around. They got me a chair and I waited as Det wrapped one of my hands, leaving another trainer to do the finishing for the other. My opponent arrived rather late. She got herself ready in no time and we both made our way to the ring.
It was the first time I got flowers before the fight, with an additional 500 or 1000 baht allowance, I can't remember.. I did my waikhru (its the second time I did it but I was so much more composed that night than I was at the World Championships last year. I did not make any mistakes with the dance! It was something really consoling.)
Fight starts. The pace was ridiculously random and fast. For no reason, I could not be as composed as when I did the wai khru.. We just started brawling all the way and I just couldnt perform in the clinch. There is still plenty to work on. And yes, I lost on points.
I was actually shocked with the overwhelming support from the spectaculars down there. They cheered for me even when the final decision was that I lost. Carol came all the way from Bkk. And I felt I let them all down, also the betting crowd. The trainers were all questioning me why no power? I apologised to everyone. Some Thai girls came to me hugging me telling me its alright. Those hugs were powerful tear generating device! Then the trainers, the students, strangers, one by one came along telling me its alright, mai pen rai. Gob's husband gently helped me remove the handwraps and consoled me. He did a great job and there is something really sweet of him, under that intimidating look. Strangers put their thumbs up as I made my way back to Sing's truck. I struggled holding back my tears the whole night.
It was an incredible experience for me but is it just a beginning or the end of my muaythai career?
Thursday, April 22, 2010
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