Jiu-jitsu Month 41 (Blue belt two years, Cauliflower Ear, Passed

When the outer edge of my left ear bulged a year ago, I didn't pay much

attention. Sticking stitching needles through the skin and squeezing drained

some before the rest firmed up. Now that I had to live with it, it was a feather

in my cap, I convinced myself, that showed my dedication to the grueling art.

 

Early Nov, the suffering of my left ear built up to another swelling, at the top

this time. Some BJJ players said they just went to their friendly neighborhood

pharmacy, showed their swell, and they gave them a syringe for free. I asked

three druggists nearby, made sure they understand what I was trying to do, but

none could give me the hypo. They were scared. I asked Machine, our head coach,

he said it was expensive to get some nurse to do it. The other coach, Darren,

just let them be and had the ugly pinnae to prove it. I guess I had to do the

same.

 

I succeeded in defending the armbar using a technique I just learned from

Henry's videos, which was a feat for me, only to be caught in the triangle by

Matt, a 5'9" 190lbs+ black youth. Worse, I didn't want to tap out to a white

belt and passed out trying to escape. When I came to, he was holding my ankles

up trying to revive me. This was the second time in the past five months that I

passed out under a white belt. It felt bad and I should've tapped early. I have

no choice but to keep training to get better.

 

During my injury/cold break (Nov 8-21), I bought Henry's special course on the

turtle position and Josh Barnett's catch wrestling basics on sale. Every module

opened my eyes to something I would like to try out. So far, I learned the

turtle bottom dynamics when facing the opponent from Henry. Barnett as both a

wrestling champion and BJJ black belt gave a new perspective as he didn't play

close guard at all.

 

I myself have found it hard to control or submit a bigger opponent in my guard.

Conversely, if the bigger guy knows what he is doing, his close guard would be a

nightmare for me. His strength and leverage make it much easier for him to break

my posture and attack than I his.

 

Black Friday, who did I spotted on the open mat other than Cha, the IBJJF world

champion black belt from my old gym who opened her own in Emeryville. We chatted

a bit, did a warm-up roll and followed with no-gi sparring. I remembered the leg

pummel she taught me a long time ago and the crucifix position she caught me in

so many times. She was such an amazing lady. I rolled also with Jose that day,

gi and no-gi, and ended up being choked once and took him down from turtle at

least three times. I showed him the cross-side backdoor escape that I recently

learned from Henry.