So you didn’t have the best last experience when it came to competition, right? Maybe you suffered a devastating loss after months of hard work and preparation, or suffered a freak or catastrophic injury, or even were the victim of illegitimate reffing and a bad call (gee, wonder what that can be in reference to)? So do you sit around and sulk for weeks on end, or do you nut up buttercup and choose to rewrite the next chapter of your story? Maybe it’s the stubborn Aquarius in me (jk, I don’t do astrological signs), but I refuse to allow past experiences permanently alter and cultivate my future endeavors. Sure, I learn from them, you’d be a fool not to. But I don’t allow my past to dictate my choices to be happy and fulfilled for my foreseeable future. Hell, if that were the case I would have never gotten married, because my track record and dating history is utter trash. And I standby the fact that this was still my best decision to date. That’s on growth baby.
So allow me to bring you to the focal point of this article. Toro Cup 20. A local grappling competition consisting of superfights from some of the most elite grapplers around, gi and no gi, and a vast variety of size, age, gender, and notoriety. I had committed myself to this competition quite some time ago, before results of major competitions or signed fight contracts. My husband and I had competed for Toro Cup since it’s origins. In fact, it’s really nostalgic to look at the results on the website and see our names from years past. The best thing about this organization is it only gets bigger and better time. More jam-packed and action-filled matches. Bigger names. A wider platform (such as Flo Grappling) to put these particular prowesses on display. And most importantly, the community all comes together as a whole to raise funds for a particular charity or a person in need.
Toro Cup is like the childhood friend you have that has been there through thick and through thin, the good times and the bad, and the one that no matter how much time has passed, you can count on them to always be there. They are always reliable to put on a good show, to hype up all matches and competitors, and to pay it forward in kindness to their local community members should they ever be in need. It’s heartbreaking when someone in the local martial arts scene suffers any sort of devastating illness, diagnosis, or injury. But the great thing about Toro Cup is they have always been there to emotionally and financially support someone (or a specific charity) in need. Because of this, it makes competitors more inclined to put themselves on the line because they know they are supporting something beneficial.
This Saturday, April 30th, is another chance to grapple for good, aka the Toro motto of ‘Live to Roll, and Roll to Give.’ This event will have the proceeds go to benefit the Autism Society of NC. Not only that, but there will be a lot more eyes on this event than there has been previously due to being live-streamed on Flo Grappling, implying that impending Toro Cup events in the future will only continue to reach a wider audience and attract even more elite grapplers. Toro Cup is also one of the few events that intersperse the level of grapplers throughout, rather than following a specific order of ranking. This way no matter when you tune in (though I always suggest the very beginning of the day at 10am EST, and not just because yours truly is kicking off the event with a no gi match up) you are guaranteed to see excellent Jiu Jitsu in full effect.
I know how tough it can be to jump back into competition after feeling the agony of defeat, or the heartbreak of robbery, or the pain of a devastating injury. But there is always a time to get back on the horse and keep galloping. Sure, you can keep your mind and your body safe by living without risk or never taking chances or putting yourself out there. But you also rob and deprive yourself of ever achieving the glory of success. You can live your life on the sidelines, but then like Achilles says, that is why no one will remember your name. No risk, no reward, and all it takes is a tiny ounce of courage to mount that mustang once again (and earn those 4 points). See y’all Saturday on Toro!
