I just finished 2nd at my first competition. 2nd out of 2 in my division...lol. I mistakenly signed up in the adult divison instead of the masters, and got worn the hell out by some 20 year old hopped up on Meth. I wasn't prepared for the intensity level. Lesson learned. I plan to compete another 3-4 times this year. Go Old Man Jitz!!!
I didn't realize how old this thread was when I hit the quote button. I only read page 1 and page 6 but I think it's awesome for everyone who trains and awesome for anyone who competes.
I competed my first year of training at a Naga. I learned about the intensity level difference as well as I learned a few tips on how to cut weight properly, as I learned by not cutting properly lol.
I had never cut weight before and started I think at 193 and 4 weeks later I was 183, or so I thought. I dieted the day before and took a hot bath and my mistakes were, only using my home scale, as well as not starting my cut early enough.
I intended on weighing 180 and then drinking and eating to be heavier, but unfortunately I weighed in at 173lbs which was 3lbs over the 170 limit so I was still in the 180 division but SUPER light lol.
I beat a guy who beat my teammate, and this was in the 20-30yr old division and I was 36 or 37 at the time. Won first two on points, but I SHOULD have rnc'd a guy and the fucking weak leading up to this event, my coaches literally went over switching to hand to hand when rnc wasn't working, and had I simply done what we practiced, I would've got the sub. I still won but that bothered me almost as much as losing the gold medal match. The gold medal match winner was a stud from Allan Mohler's gym. 26 and incredible shape but his technique was also tight. I gave him an arm b/c he had my back and was up on points so I just wanted to try to create something but as soon as he tried taking the bait I started a counter and he said fuck that and went right back to back control. I gave him my neck hoping to turn into him and create a reversal but he got the rnc. Ah well.
My kids competed with me and we got Gold Silver and Bronze as a family. All had at least 3 matches.
$80 to risk injury just so you can compete is hard to justify for me though.