Chapter 6 - Sparring with the National Champion

Ruckee's first kumite match begins!

Leo assumes a ready stance, body facing the opponent with both fists pointing down.

Sensei Ali: HAJIME!

Ruckee adopts his boxing stance and begins to bounce.

SFX: tip tap tip tap. (sound of bouncing feet)

Leo shifts to a fighting stance, right hand on the chest and left hand in guard position, also bouncing.

Ruckee: (thinking) Okay, kumite is pretty similar to boxing in terms of bouncing.

Ruckee: (thinking) The only difference is his stance is lower, like he's riding a horse.
Ruckee finds this funny.

Ruckee imagines Leo riding a horse.

Ruckee: (thinking) Okay, I'll start with a jab.

Ruckee approaches Leo while bouncing and throws a jab.

Ruckee: Hssss!! (exhaling sharply during the punch)

From Ruckee's perspective, Leo's face suddenly disappears!

WA-TAAAAAAWWWWW!!! (Leon shouts)

Scene: Leo's bottom foot is near Ruckee's left ear.

Leo quickly returns to guard position and steps back in fighting stance.

-AAAAWWWWW!! (Leo continues shouting as he moves to a safe distance)

Sensei Ali: YAMEH!! (shouting)

Sensei Ali: JODAN GERI… IPPON!!! (Sensei Ali gestures with his hand)

Sensei Ali: SENSHU!! (Sensei Ali makes another hand gesture)

Ruckee: (shouting) WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED!!!

Ruckee: (thinking) It feels like my ear got pierced by a giant fishing hook!!!

Sensei Ali: That technique is called URA MAWASHI GERI.

Ruckee looks shocked!

Ruckee: (shouting) I'M SO FREAKING CONFUSED RIGHT NOW.

Sensei Ali: The word "ura" means "reverse" or "back," and "mawashi geri" means "roundhouse kick." Therefore, "ura mawashi geri" translates to "reverse roundhouse kick" or "back roundhouse kick." This kick involves a spinning motion and striking with the heel or sole of the foot in a reverse direction.

Ruckee: I THINK I'M GOING TO VOMIT RIGHT NOW!

Sensei Ali: Hahaha! It's okay. It's your first time.

Sensei Ali: Let me explain what happened. Leo just scored 3 points because he kicked your head.

JODAN means Head, GERI means Kick, IPPON means 3 points.

Ruckee: BUT HE DIDN'T EVEN TOUCH MY HEAD!!!

Sensei Ali: In the rules, face contact is not allowed in your age category (13 years and below). Within 10 cm for kicks and 5 cm for punches from the head is enough to score a point.

Ruckee: OMG, TOO MUCH INFORMATION!!!

Sensei Ali: It's okay, you're still learning. Let's have another round.

Ruckee: (thinking) Looks like another big difference in kumite compared to boxing is that the referee stops the fight when someone scores! So it's whoever is quickest gets the score!

Sensei Ali: HAJIME!!!

Both players start bouncing again.

Ruckee: (thinking) I'll be more aggressive and throw punching combos.

Ruckee gets close to Leo and throws 2 jabs.

Leo dodges the 2 jabs by stepping backward.

Leo: (thinking) Okay, is he doing the same thing over and over?

Ruckee throws another jab.

Leo counters with a hook kick.

Scene: Ruckee ducks!

Leo: What the hell, I missed.

Ruckee: (thinking) OKAY, IT'S MY TURN TO COUNTER.

Scene: Ruckee throws an uppercut from the ducking position.

RUCKEE: YAAAH!!!!!!

Leo: Shit, he's going to hit my chin!

Leo moves both hands to block the uppercut.

The punch hits Leo's palm.

Leo's glove flies away.

Sensei Ali: YAMEEEH!!!

Sensei Ali: CHUI! (makes a hand gesture)

Ruckee: YEHEY, I GOT A POINT!

Leo: You didn't get a point, you moron. Are you trying to kill me!?!?

Ruckee: What did you just say!!!

Leo looks stressed.

Leo: Feels like a rocket almost hit my chin.

Sensei Ali: Stop, both of you! Leo, you don't have to say that.

Leo: Sorry, Sensei. (Leo bows)

Sensei Ali: Ruckee, you actually didn't score a point.

Ruckee: Whaaaat!!!!!!!

Sensei Ali: Firstly, it was blocked, and secondly, an uppercut is an illegal move!

Sensei Ali: That's why you'll get a CHUI. CHUI means warning!!!

Ruckee: WAAAAHH IT SOUNDS SO WIERD SOUNDS LIKE STARWARS CHARACTER!!!! (Ruckee recalls the star wars character Chewy - Chewbacca)

Sensei Ali: HAHAHAHA ! But your timing was good. Once you learn a karate move, you can score with good timing.

Sensei Ali: (thinking) His KIAI is strong but not controlled.

Ruckee collapses and looks dizzy.

Sensei Ali: (thinking) I almost forgot, this kid was just bullied earlier today, and now he's had his first kumite match. It's been a long day for him.Sensei Ali: This kid has great potential! I can't wait to see him in the tournament next week.