My First Tournament

Well .. I mentioned in my last blog post that I had signed up to play in my first badminton tournament - OU Smashfest 2011.  It was a lot of fun.  I played mixed doubles with Justin Ngo.  He and I have played together at the badminton club before and we make a good team.

At first, Justin wanted to play pure mixed - me at the front, while he covers the rest of the court.  We lost to a really good team at the start but we had some good shots.  The second game .. I don't know why but I felt a bit more nervous than the first game.  I thought we could have won the second game but unfortunately we lost that too .  Since we were guaranteed three games, I wanted to play doubles' strategy for our third game - just in case it is our last game.  That's when everything started to click.

We started playing better and won the next two games.  We ended up in D finals against a much younger team - they were practically kids.  I really tried my best and it paid off.  We ended up winning 2-0.  I'm a much stronger player than I was a year ago.  I used to not run as much and give away points .. now I actually hustle and I have good shot placement.  My friends were so proud of me - first tournament, first win.  To celebrate, we went out for Korean food.  Yumm.

I'm exhausted but I'm good.  Next is the Mark Grantham team tournament but I won't be around to play or take pictures.  It will be Chinese New Year weekend. 

P.S.  thanks Shirley for giving me a great door prize - Hello Kitty pyjamas!!!  :)