Have you ever been to a karate tournament before?

On a sunny, warm Saturday, my parents and I went to my karate tournament in Henderson at St Dominic School.

When we got to St Dominic School, my parents and I had to wait for my team to arrive because we always take a team photo so we can recall later on. After all our team members arrived, we took a nice photo and then we hurried inside because it was going to rain.

As soon as we got inside, my parents and I quickly found a seat otherwise we might no get one. After we sat down, my silly friends and I went to the back to warm up for the tournament. Before long, the tournament started.

First we had to get into our divisions. I was in the green belt to red belt female division. After we were put into our divisions, then we did kata.

I did kata Seienchin. Seienchin is a slow and fast kata (training exercises) which we needed to move our hips a lot. Then we moved into komati. Komati is a type of fighting techniques. I had  to go up against two red belts that was good and it was hard. However I beat one if them.

After that we were awarded our medals. I was surprised because I didn't think I was going to get a medal. I received two silver medals and I was so happy.

I hope next time my papa would come because he really wanted to come with us. I was so humble to get two medals. I will train hard and hopefully I can get two gold medals next time.

Learning intention: We are learning to understand and use descriptive language in our writing.

Success criteria: I know I can do this when I use adjectives to describe my weekend of going to my karate tournament.

Yes, I won my first two medals!

On the 9th of April my grandparents, family and I went to Manurewa netball centre for my karate tournament.

First my family and I hopped happily into my dad’s big, grey car. Then we went pick up my grandparents from their house so we could all go to the tournament together. After we picked them up, we headed to the netball centre in Manurewa. It only took us 15 minutes to get there, because there was no traffic.

When we got there, there  were three rings that were ready for us to do our kata and kumite in. I looked for some seats for my grandparents and my family while my dad was booking us in.

After that, it was time for the tournament to start. First we had to stand in our lines. Then the highest belt had to bow us in. After we had bowed the the highest belt, he told us that we were put into three rings and that we will be in different time. My first round was in ring two and it started at 10:30.

When it was 10:30, I went into ring two. There were competitors from all over Auckland and even Christchurch. When I was doing my kata, I felt nervous but I gave it my all. When my competition ended, the judges gave out medals for both kata and kumite. I received a silver in kata and bronze for kumite. After that we all went home.

I had an awesome day because I won my first two medals. I hope that I could get gold in both kata and kumite next time.

Learning intention: We are learning to understand and use the correct language features in our recount.

Success criteria: I know I can do this when I write about my karate tournament using past tense.