I have not been on the mat ALL week
June 25 2000

I have not been on the mat ALL week. It was a much needed break. However, I am working on my cardio and weights. After the Austrian grand prix, we felt it was necessary to take this week off the mats. I'm sure I'll feel really rejuvenated when I hit the mats tomorrow.

I used the opportunity off the mats to go to Dallas to watch the USA Olympic trials. For me, it was like a competition. I observed so many great matches. The competition was world class; every weight class was competitive, except the 97 kg class where Dominic Black got hurt in the first half of the first match and gave up the challenge. The most interesting matches were in the 58 kilogram class, brands and Boumans literally had a blood bath. Terry Brands won both matches 3-2 in over time, but it could have very well gone the other way. Mckoy beat Neal in the heavy weight class. Only in the US could you be the world champion from the previous year and not make the Olympic team. That reminds me of 1996 when Kendall Cross, beat Terry Brands to win the Olympic berth at 57kg and went on to become the Olympic champion. I have a feeling Mckoy will do the same thing as well.

Next week will be a feel good week, I have to gradually get back into the string of things by doing a lot of technique during the scrimmage sessions. Taking a week off the mats feels good, I can't wait to get on the mats and dance. When you have been involved in a sport for a number of years, the sport almost becomes an addiction. I am going nuts because I have not scrimmaged in a week, even though I know that I need it. Three weeks to the world championships last year, I had more than a week off the mats after i tore the cartilage in my knee. We all know what happened after that rejuvenating lay off.

Keep sweating... Daniel (Dynamite) Igali.