9:00 a.m.
On the road!
1:15 p.m.
After stopping for lunch, we arrive at Polk State College in Winter Haven
This is what a Taekwondo competition looks like...there are about 8 rings. They group the competitors by age, belt and weight.
Clay just hung out with the other kids while waiting to be called to the staging area. He was completely uncooperative, so the papparazzi had to be summoned to get some pics....
...hence, the shots are not always so great...
I think he must have been a bit nervous, because he kept chewing on his badge...
Like this!
5:00-ish
Waiting to do his form
5:30-ish
Clay does his form
Waiting for the judges to give him his score
Second Place!! A silver medal for forms....
6:00-ish
Now to spar! Getting laced up by Master Berry
Warming up...
Bowing
Getting "frisked"....
As I was snapping photos, I heard two of the team girls next to me talking.
"Oh, that's my boy - there's Clay"...this was said several times. I turned to her and said, "Actually, that's MY boy!! She said, "Oh...teeheeheeeheeeee"
A bit later I heard her yelling, "Come on Clay! Kick his head!!" Then she said to the other girl, "I KNOW he can do it - he's done it to me enough times in practice!"
(Please note how the judge in the foreground is on the edge of her seat....)
(That's because Clay kept knocking this kid down, and out of the ring! See how she is jumping out of the way....)
(Yep...notice the empty judge's chair....Clay waits for the other dude to pick himself up)
Clay wins! (And fought the last minute or so with an injury - a bruised ankle)
Shaking hands with the judges, and getting his GOLD MEDAL and his invitation to Nationals...
Yay Clay!!!!
Everyone on Team Mudo did great and qualified for Nationals
7:30-ish
On the way home (Clay singing along with his ipod)
10:00 p.m.
Almost home!
Sleepy kids!
Clay did great - Sparring state champion (OK, OK, in his weight and age division, if you want to get all technical about it) and a silver medal for forms. He qualified for Nationals!
Clay's invitation to Nationals, and his medals.
