Last Saturday I competed in the Pasadena Senior Games. This was my second year participating, and I won the Silver medal in Women 60-64 years of age. I arrived early to watch some of the advanced women play in the 1:00 afternoon group. They were formidable! I was amazed at their skills and fierceness. It was like being at the Olympics. I soaked up the talent and electricity in the air.
I was greeted enthusiastically by a few of the top players from my club. Their warmth and support made a huge difference in my emotional state and gave me a sense of belonging. They have so much dedication and experience. Once it was my turn, Stacy Zhang, one of my favorite players, patted my shoulders, said my name, and urged me into position. It felt like I was part of their team, and reminded me of when I competed as a young gymnast. LATTA has incredible players. I hadn’t realized these ladies would be there; it felt like a tribe. They have very high ratings. Mine had started climbing, and it made me a bit nervous.
A couple women I met last year came up to me after the matches, expressing excitement and amazement over how much I had improved. That was so kind and generous of them. I started lessons last May, and my coaches Rudy Miranda and Tawny Banh have really worked me intensely. It feels like an accelerated and highly creative pace. They see your possibilities and natural gifts. The personal game is a very individual design, like choreography. You put in so many hours on and off the court, practicing, repeating, and refining.
I felt exhausted but relieved after the tournament. The more I compete, the more I get to know people. It’s a circuit. I went right back to class the next day and then got some rest and chores done at home. It takes time to recover.
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