There are no Short-Cuts in Life

Ewan asked us thrice today after he won the Gold medal in the Wushu Star 2019 contest for 五步拳.  

Are You Proud of Me?

Of course we are! We didn't expect to win. Not especially when we decided to participate in this event just three weeks ago. I even asked if we could sit out of the prize-giving ceremony because we had to rush for another event.

Today, he understood what it felt like to be a champion for the first time and today, he learnt that hard work can never be compromised if he wants to be Number One. An essential life lesson he is very fortunate to have had experienced.

When his coach checked in with him on his decision to participate in Wushu Star, his answer was a dwindling NO. The more he thought about losing, the more he shunned away from the idea. I tried to suay him towards an agreement but he said he didn't feel like he can do this. If he doesn't walk home with a trophy, he'd rather not go for it at all.

Win or Lose, a competition builds winners. I decided to let him make his own decision even though I had the power to make him do it. I waited and I encouraged. It wasn't until a few practices later that he decided to sign up for it. Yipee!

He wasn't confident about competing in 五步拳 because he hasn't been practicing it for a year now after moving on to a new stance. He insisted he had forgotten his moves. Little did he know, all he needed was a refresher and focused training towards the competition day. His coach helped him perfect his moves and boosted his confidence in six lessons!

Coach Martin told him that if it is only about winning, he would rather Ewan sit out of this competition. Go for it for the exposure and for beating his own best [last] score; understanding that he is his biggest competitor [Read: Wuhsu Star 2018]. Having his eye only on the trophy will blind his foresight. We want Ewan to experience what healthy competition is. Even if he "lost" [going home without a medal], it is a great opportunity to learn how to lose gracefully. Even if he "lost', he would have learnt how brave he could be to perform before so many people. Even if he "lost", he would still go home a winner; someone who gained something from the experience.

He definitely learnt that there are no short-cuts in life. And I'm constantly trying to impart life lessons  in Wushu to him.

Power, Focus, Clean Moves and Sturdiness. He needed all these to clinch a good score and seriously, come what may on Wushu Star 2019 day! We didn't have much time to prepare.

Today's credit didn't only go to Ewan but also Coach Martin. You first need someone to believe in you to excel.

My heart was in my mouth as I watched these children walked up onto the mat to do their thing. I was nervous and started to imagine him wavering through his stance, rushing through his moves and what have yous. I don't know if Ewan was ready! He refused to practice on the mat before the competition when everyone else did. All he said was, "I know what I'm supposed to do already." I always choose to trust him rather than to force it. 

It was his turn. He walked in. Fierce and strong as can be. Made his mark and walked out the mat with gusto. When we got reunited, he blurted out, "I was so nervous!" *hahaha* I thought I was the only nervous one. He didn't looked like he was scared at all but I guess, they all were. Such little people braving a solo performance in front of a public crowd. I applaud their courage!

8.58!

He beat last year's personal best of 8.42! And with 8.58, he clinched the Gold medal by 0.01 fighting against 40 contestants!

His coach came over to whisper in my ear, "He won!". I was delighted of course! I looked down at my son who was playing Pokemon at my feet and asked him, "Do you think you did well enough to win something today?" He shrugged.

We decided to keep this news from him and have him enjoy the win when his name is being called at the prize-giving ceremony. Students who performed better than 8.50 will walk away with a certification of Distinction and the top three will be awarded with Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. 

Ewan's eyes lighted up when the host went, "And the bronze medal goes to Yang...." but immediately shrugged back into his hunched position when it wasn't "Yang Ewan". He let out a sigh and took a disappointed look at me, "I thought I was getting this medal!" The bronze medal was enough to make him happy! Awww....

Oh son. You are going to get a bigger medal! You just wait. 

There were three Bronze medalists, a Silver and a Gold. Ewan was talking to his friend when the announcement came up for YANG EWAN to receive his Championship title! I got ready at the side to capture his surprised look on his face and indeed, that was a precious moment to be caught on film. He was caught off-guard! When he came off the podium, he repeated aloud almost in disbelief, "I'm a champion!" 

Daddy! Are You Proud of Me?

So proud. Daddy is very proud of him.

Wushu is not an easy sport. It has brought him down to tears from the pain and regime. It has brought us to many discussions on quitting or persevering. It has brought him disappointments when he couldn't progress. It has been tough. With this newly found self-esteem from Wushu Stars, his mojo is back once again!

We tried to explain this to him but it probably is quite tough for him to understand now:

Do not judge each day 

by the harvest you reap 

but by the seeds you plant

- Robert Lewis Stevenson-

"Dear Ewan, 

do not judge today as GREAT because you won the Gold

but by all the efforts you've put in for tomorrow."

- Mom and Dad -

A series of posts on Martial Arts for Kids was penned previously.

MARTIAL ARTS FOR KIDS

1. Judo, written by Edwin Wong, father of Elliot Wong [7 years old]

2. Aikido, written by Clement Ang, father of Sze Ern [14 years old] and Sze Zin [8 years old]
3. Taekwondo, written by Ratna Sunil Mishra, mother of Sunay Mishra [9 years old], Suniska [7 years old] and Sujay Mishra [6 years old]

4. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, written by Tiffany Teo, mother of Chester Zhong [8 years old]

5. Mixed Martial Arts, written by Tracy Lee, mother of Cayden Thong [10 years old]
6. Wushu, written by Liang May, mother of Yang Ewan [5 years old]

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