Katsumi Manabe!

[Photo retrieved from Facebook]

How did you find out about UO Wushu?

Online while reading about some of the older us superstars of the art in highschool.  Both Brandon sugiyama and Phillip dang were alumni, was a little disappointed to realize I’d be joining the year after Phil graduated though.

How long were you involved with the club?

Eh let’s just say I failed to graduate in four years.  I tore my Achilles at practice which severely set back graduation and training.

How did you balance all your activities during college?

At first I didn’t.  Then I dropped the activities I didn’t care about and stopped procrastinating.  Don’t procrastinate, Nike that sh**.

Did you specialize in something?

Jian was my favorite form.

What were the most difficult and most rewarding factors of being captain?

The most difficult was balancing the focus and intensity of practice.  I wanted to share the really physically and mentally intense and rewarding practices previous captains had with me but without excluding people whom were shy, new, uncoordinated, or just really sh** at showing up consistently because they couldn’t balance school, Wushu, and whatever else they did.

The most rewarding was being there for the excitement every time someone did something they previously thought was out of reach.

Can you describe the mental and physical progression you experienced from your first competition to your last competition?

I got stronger over time but never got comfortable with it.  I always psyched myself out and felt like I could have done better.  Honestly I didn’t care too much to compete myself, I just wanted to do Wushu.

How did the Wushu community impact your life?

The wushu community was my life.  I met some of my closest friends and the greatest girl in the world there.   I’ve actually done wushu with all of my current roommates as well.

How has Wushu impacted your life?

I may not train regularly anymore but if I space out at a grocery store I’ll still find myself going through forms in my head and waving my hands about like a crazy person.

Where are you now in life?

I was the manager of a red Robin but quit a few days ago, I took part in the opening of a new location that was ranked number one in the company out of more than 500 restaurants when we opened.  We were ranked I think fifth when I left.  For now I’m taking some time to myself and looking for a different direction.

Do you still practice?

No, but I miss it.

Do you have any advice for current team members?

If you want to do anything, stop procrastinating or making excuses and don’t let your cup be too full.