The Return to the Ring: Double Gold and the Spirit of Resurgence

April 11, 2026 by C. Michial Jones

It has been several years since I last stepped into the competitive arena. Between radical surgeries, radiation, and the long road of recovery, my focus has primarily been on simply maintaining my presence on the mats. But today, the body and the mind aligned. I traveled to the PKC Region 2 Tournament, and for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t there just to observe—I was there to compete.

The Standard of the Yushikan

In the martial arts, we often say that “the kata is the core.” Today, I put that to the test.

• Kobudo: I performed Nakamoto no Kon. The bo is an extension of the spine, and despite the physical toll of the last year, the mechanics remained sharp.
• Kata: I chose Suparenpei. As the most advanced form in our system, it requires immense breath control and structural integrity—two things that cancer treatments specifically try to steal from you.

When the scores were tallied, the results were a clean sweep: 1st Place in both Kata and Kobudo. While the medals are a nice, the true victory was the atmosphere. Seeing old friends, feeling the energy of the tournament floor, and realizing that the “Old Man” can still show the younger generations how the forms are supposed to look was deeply satisfying. It proves that while my mobility may have changed, the quality of the Yushikan’s “DNA” remains at a world-class level.

The Post-Battle Traditions

Of course, a tournament weekend isn’t complete without the camaraderie that follows the final bow. A group of us headed over to the Uranus Fudge Factory to celebrate. As I’ve always said, martial arts is about balance—hard training followed by good humor. I’ll leave it to the imagination as to who in our group had their “fudge packed” at the factory, but the laughter was just as healing as the wins on the mat.

Conclusion: Still in the Hunt

Walking away with double Gold today was a reminder that I am not done yet. The “Wait and See” quarterly tests continue, and the treatments are still a factor, but today showed me that the “run” isn’t over. As long as I can pick up a Bo or step into a Zenkutsu-dachi, the Yushikan is in the fight.