Word: rakow
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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Without access to a regular sparring partner, Rakow trained primarily for the kata division of nationals--an individual competition where contestants perform kata, ancient Japanese exercises in which every move is predetermined. Rakow was eliminated by a freshman from San Francisco City College in the first round...
...really disappointing," Rakow said. "This was what I'd been focusing on for so long, and to lose in the first round. They chose my worst kata...
Other athletes might have packed it in and gone home. Rakow responded by claiming first place in the national sparring competition...
...When sparring came around, I was put against the same girl as before," Rakow explained. "I was just like, 'You won last time. This time, it's my turn.' I didn't give her much of a chance...
Having lost the competition she came to win, Rakow entered the sparring competition with nothing to lose. Facing smaller, quicker opponents in her first two rounds, Rakow said playing it fast and loose helped maintain her mental concentration, possibly the most critical element when it comes to sparring...