The Diamond Nationals was the first national karate tournament I ever went to.  It wasn’t great.  I was sick the whole weekend.  After being home for a couple of days, my mom took me to the hospital and found out my appendix burst.  I was in the hospital for a week.  Not a very happy Diamonds experience.

Ever since then, though, the Diamond Nationals has had a special place in my heart because it’s the one national karate tournament where you know everybody — other karate competitors, families, friends, etc.   Great time.

I’ve won the Diamond Nationals twice before but never the Grand Championship.  Last year, I even tied for the Grand Championship but lost in the tie breaker (or heart breaker as it turned out for me).

This year has been a frustrating year.  I started out hopeful with a win in Rhode Island but none after.  The last national karate tournament before the Diamonds, I asked to get 5 judges vs. 3 judges in my division thinking that 5 would give me more of fair shot at winning.  I was severely disappointed when I didn’t a single judge to give me a score in my favor.  I thought to myself “5 judges and none of them picked me to win.”

Later that tournament, however, I talked to some of the coaches of some national teams who gave me some encouraging words that helped me get back on the horse.  I’m, by nature, a positive person.  Focusing on the bad only brings forth more of what you DON’T want, so hearing them gave me the fuel I needed to boost back.

That karate tournament was August 8-9, so I knew I’d have my favorite and longest break between tournaments to really get my head and body ready for Diamonds.

I planned the next two months out in my head so that I could peak at Diamonds.  As I got closer to the tournament, my visualizing drills got more and more intense.

I changed my computer background to a picture of the Diamond Nationals Diamond Ring.  I changed the background on my phone to the same.  My alarm on my phone to wake every day read “Win The Ring.”  Every morning when I woke up and every evening when I went to bed, I prayed for the strength and opportunity to bring the championship home.  At night, I stood in the dark and imagined my form at the Grand Championships.  I even imagined how I would bow after winning and who I would hug after winning.

This was the first time that I took my mental visualization practice to such an intense level.

I was a little afraid that after all this prep I might still lose.

But…

I immediately squashed it out of my head, saying to myself, “this is my tournament, this is my city, these are my people watching…there’s no way anybody is allowed to take this away from me.”  Especially since some of the karate families and students who were NOT competing made the trip just to watch me and the other karate students from Nicklaus’ Martial Arts America.  I couldn’t let them down.

PLUS, this is the only national karate tournament my mom can make the trip to.  When she and I got to the hotel, I executed the first part of my plan…

using my credit card to pay for room instead of mom paying.

I told the hotel guy who was confused as to which card to use, “don’t listen to this crazy lady (joking of course)…AND I know karate, so if you take her card, I’m gonna get you.”

Result –> win #1 for me…haha.

It was a quick Friday.  I watched one of my best friends spar.  I did my bo staff form and got 4th in the division.  I went to Olive Garden to get whole wheat pasta.  Then I went to bed.

Saturday….Game Day.

I woke up and had my final morning chat with myself to get my head ready for the day.  Then I watched my students compete and do very well (results to come soon).  Then as time drew nearer, my heart rate bumped up a level.  Then right before my daytime elimination division started, I saw the infamous Nicklaus’ Martial Arts America cheering section amass right behind the judges.  I worried for moment that it might a distraction for me having them there (it wasn’t).

Then my division started.  Phew.  This is it.

Because of my ranking, I get to go second to last….right before the guy who’s been beating me all year.

As it came close to my turn I got in position to go, and find Sireen sitting there.  She’s one of my students, and she’s sitting there with here big 5 ft. trophy….haha.  So I ask her to move, and she slides over a little.  C’mon, Sireen…haha.  I asked her again, and then she moved to a better spot.

My turn.  Before I even stepped in the ring, our karate parents & students erupted.  From there on, it was truly electric for me to have that kind of support.  The guy after me really couldn’t top it.  I won.

This meant I was going to the Grand Champ Finals at night.

I spent a quiet dinner with my best friend and his girlfriend to get my head ready.   Never ending pasta bowl at Olive Garden…it’s a winner….haha.

That night as my time drew near, I started to prepare, and strangely enough, I felt like I already won the tournament.  Looking back, maybe this wasn’t so weird with all the mental prep I did.

Being a traditional forms competitor, I don’t flip around doing Hollywood-Action-Movie type moves, but I do have power & presence.  I made sure to take full advantage of it.  I waited a while after my name was announced to enter the stage.  When I did enter, I stomped the heck out of the stairs and methodically made my approach to present myself to the judges.  I wanted to make it clear that I was someone to watch.

To be honest with you, I’ve had better physical performances than I did for the Grand Championship that night.  What I know to be the difference maker was that I’ve never prepared as much Mentally & never projected an Energy as much as I did that night.

Afterwards, my Sensei  – Suzann Wancket-Yue — that Mr. Nicklaus introduced and gave me privilege to work with since 2004, asked me how I felt.   I said “To be honest, it feels normal because I envisioned pretty much everything that happened tonight.”

I am truly grateful and honored to win such a prestigious karate tournament.  I tried to win with class, dignity, honor, and professionalism.  The skills a true competitor and martial artist should have.  I’m proud to bring such an honor back with me to La Crosse, WI.

What’s the future of my competition goals?  It’s a secret.  I’m playing close to my chest.  I still appreciate all your help and support in pursuing them, though.

How does this help you?  Immediately on return to teaching class Monday, I knew and felt this win really is a win for the karate students and families at Nicklaus’ Martial Arts America.  The win gives me fuel and a personal feeling of credibility (not that I didn’t have it before) where I can truly share my experience to deliver to you the best Martial Arts training and karate classes you can get.

My struggle for the past three years to make it to the top at these national karate tournaments and then the validation of what I felt to be true about my abilities serves as template to help every karate student I teach lessons to.  I can teach the secrets and steps to my karate students so that they achieve their own success — which, in my head, is not about winning karate tournaments but learning the values of being a Champion of Life.

We’re building something very special at Nicklaus’ Martial Arts America.  This is just another puzzle piece to help complete the excellence and atmosphere that I and the other instructors want to build.  For many years to come, I know this is a special experience I can use to better teach students and help families at Nicklaus’ Martial Arts America.

Thanks so much for you support and congratulations!

Warmest Regards,

William Cornell
Your Family’s Martial Arts Life Skills Mentor
Nicklaus’ Martial Arts America