Fighting for faith

I jogged on the spot and glanced nervously around waiting to be called up to fight. It was my first Brazilian jiu jitsu tournament, and I was terrified. I had started training in this grappling martial art less than a year earlier. I was full of fear, doubt and worry, scared of letting my team down and disappointing my family. 

A number of my teammates came out to the tournament to support me. They tried to calm my nerves but they were unable to slow my beating heart, which continued to hammer into my chest. To prepare, I started to spar with my older brother, also a jiu jitsu practitioner, and it sent me into some sort of trance. My heart beat slowed and my mind cleared as I focused on my movements. 

Then my name was called. And as I stepped up onto the mat, my fears rose once again. I then bowed to my opponent and the fight began. 

Few people can see the connection between martial arts and religion, but as a close friend of mine once said, fighting in many ways is just like our faith. It’s a constant struggle to follow Scripture when you are unsure of the existence of God. This is similar to the trust we have in our opponents as we train, hoping they have the skill and self control to defend themselves properly without hurting you. 

As I journey, I find I am given all the tools I need to improve, such as determination and perseverance, which assist me both in my faith and in martial arts. We continue to get knocked down in life, yet instead of giving up we get back up and continue living. In martial arts I make mistakes and learn from them with every fight I lose and every error I make. 

Martial arts is more than fighting and subduing your opponent with your physical strength. It is primarily about your mindset. You must ensure you are mentally grounded before focusing on your physical abilities. Being prepared to fight someone mentally and physically are two totally different things. This also links to our faith. 

I must be mentally prepared to be open to God. As Catholics, the heart of our faith isn’t about attending church daily or spending many hours a day praying. Rather, it’s about learning how to be a Christian, paying attention to Church teachings and gaining strength and comfort from praying. 

My first tournament took place more than a year ago, yet I still call it one of the proudest days of my life as a martial artist. I lost all of my fights, but that day taught me that with every mistake I make, I will gain experience that will only make me stronger. 

As a fighter, I know that anything can happen on the mats and anyone can beat me on any given day. I just have to work my hardest and trust in my abilities as a fighter, but also have a little faith and the Holy Spirit will provide exactly what I need, win or lose. 

(Sequeira, 16, is a Grade 11 student at St. John Paul II Catholic Secondary School in Toronto.)