I didn't make one sound.
I was so nervous that any little unexpected moment might throw him. I had been texting him throughout the day, and he was giving me updates every hour or so - having no idea that I was already in the stands, waiting!
Out of all those faces, and all those gis, I finally saw the one that belonged to me! Dark hair, dark eyes, dark goatee, dark gi. The man in black! hehe My Mikey - ready for his first match. I think I took 30 pictures of him walking in! There can never be too many, right? hahaha
I had moved from my hiding place in the upper arena, and positioned myself better for the match on Mat 23. Turns out, I was sitting RIGHT next to his boys from his gym - but he was so focused on his match (and NOT expecting to see anyone else) that he didn't even see me!!! hahaha I was also hiding my face behind the camera, so it worked out well that my surprise would wait for the final reveal!
I'm about to show you the first match of his first tournament! But before I do that, allow me to share something briefly.
One of the things I found absolutely fascinating in my university days - was micro-expressions. We often see what people want us to see in the grand displays of emotion that they CHOOSE to display for the public. But what is often more subtle and not as easily detected - is the micro-expression. These are the almost-subliminal flashes of TRUE emotion that flash right before the person regains control and showcases the more expected emotion.
Sometimes they are positive - sometimes negative. But they often reveal the truest emotion that a person is feeling because these are involuntary - and they can't be manufactured. People who are very good at detecting when someone is lying or being false, are usually very perceptive at recognizing those flashes of micro-expressions.
At the moment when Micah finally realizes the crazy woman screaming... is his mom... hahahaha this is what I saw.
I don't know what you see in those microexpressions... but I know what I see, and I'll never forget that moment as long as I live.
Now - onto the match! For those who don't know, matches like this are a lot like wrestling matches. It might not look like a lot is going on throughout the whole thing - but the two competitors would tell you differently for sure! They are constantly grappling, adjusting, looking for targets, looking for ways to earn points in takedowns, reversals - always fighting for the opportunity to be in control. Sometimes you're in control on the top, sometimes you're in control on the bottom! The ref is watching every little move - and awarding points for all that he sees. If you get your opponent to tap out (from various locks and bars - and... basically, pain! lol) then you win automatically. But if you go the distance for the full 5 minutes, whoever has the most points gained during that time - wins. That's how it is, folks!
And now... enjoy the video of my boy-man's first match!
