Back Into The Gelanggang

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Hmm.. World cup 2010 has finally ended, and I'm now back at training. Well, actually there was no relevance at all between the two, but I did take a two weeks break. The first week was because I just wanted to take a break, but the second week, I was down with flu. Bad.

Last Monday night, I came back to the gelanggang for training. I was late, but at least I made it. No, I should not have justified my tardiness. Pendekar Scott was there earlier. Flipping the Tekpi (Sai) or what we at the Harimau Berantai call, the Sauh, which is a Malay word for anchor. I too have to train with my Sauh, as instructed by Guru Jak, but I usually leave them in my car. It was time for me to take them out and train with them again. Awesome!

Throughout the night, I was deflecting and 'breaking' a horizontal rattan pole that sticks out towards me and acts as a hand thrusting a weapon, stabbing and hitting tires that act as the body and legs of an opponent. There's also a wooden pole sticking out of the body of tires that act as the head that I have to remember stab and hit too. I got really into it. Felt really good training that night. I used to not like them as weapon as they are not easily concealed, and who brings around these things into battle these days? Except Rafael of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Elektra of course.

However, when you deflect an attack with your Sauh, then counter with attacks that render your opponent useless through blunt force trauma, and stabbings, I find them very fascinating. All night, I focused on practising with speed and power. I do try to get my footwork done properly too.

Great training session that night. Salam.