The Fight

                                                                      The Fight
                                                                      By C. Lee

Two opponents face each other. Each has a solemn look as he faces the other. Neither hears the crowd in the background as they stare with fierceness into the other’s eyes.

“Rei to me,” the judge says and both competitors turn and face the judge and give a slight bow to him.
“Rei to each other,” the judge says in his deep voice. The two competitors turn and bow to each other.

“Fighting stance,” the judge says with authority as each competitor moves into a stance with his hands up. Both opponents turn to an angle to give his opponent the least amount of body to punch and kick at. The concentration is intense.

The judge raises his hand, glances at each opponent, drops his hand, “HAJIME.”

One opponent moves forward with catlike grace and lunges at the other. He moves in with lightning speed and lands a glancing blow to the other fighter.
No point.
He moves back as his opponent moves in and out throwing a front kick.
“UMPHHH,’ the fighter grunts as the kick finds its spot in the solar plexus.

The fighter is knocked backward from the force of the kick as the air escapes his body.

“STOP,” the judge says pointing to each opponent’s starting point. They move back to their spot.
“ONE POINT,” the judge bellows, pointing to the fighter who landed the kick.

“FIGHTING STANCE,” the judge bellows as both fighters get into position.
“HAJIME!!”

This time the first fighter does not lunge out. He waits. Both fighters eye each other warily, like two beasts watching for a weakness in the other. Sweat beads their brows as they size up each other and wait for a chance to take the best punch or kick.

The fighter who scored the point lunges up, then back, without landing a punch or kick. The other fighter stands his ground.
Suddenly, as if on cue, both fighters move in with precision and the frey begins. Punches and kicks are exchanged several times. The judges move around the ring and watch as each fighter moves with graceful strength. Several techniques are executed, but none are worthy. Minutes pass as the fighters swap a flurry of punches and kicks that look like a primitive tribal dance.

“STOP,” the judge calls.
“JUDGES CALL…..” and each judge points to the same fighter. He had landed a hard side kick to his opponent.
“YOUR POINT.”

“FIGHTING STANCE,” the judge calls as he points to each fighter.
“HAJIME!!”

The fighter who score the last point, which was his second point, moves in quickly and throws a double punch to the ribs of his opponent.

“STOP, JUDGES CALL,” the judge bellows as the fighters scramble back to their spots.
Each judge points to the fighter with the most points.

The main judge calls out, “THREE.”
He points to the other fighter, “ONE.”
He turns to the opposing fighter, “WINNER.”

The judge points to each fighter, “ Rei to each other.” The fighters show their respects to each other by bowing.
“Rei to me,” the judge says as they turn and face him and bow.

The match is over.