The World Junior Championships was a exquisite experience. Even though i injured my left knee in the beginning of the tournament, I still manage to play through all the events.
One weeks before the junior trials, and i get injured, perfect timing. After the day that i got injured, i tried everything to help it heal. putting on medicine and putting iceon it to stop the swelling. The next couple of days, I managed to play out all the events. Even though I lost all my matches, I had an unforgettable experience. I have seen the best juniors in the world play, and it has helped me improve my game. This has helped me succeed in nationals the following week.
December 20th, I was still deciding if I should go to nationals. A lot has happened to me in the week before nationals. But in the end, I decided to go. The first day of nationals for was Dec. 20th 2007, I went to the playing hall in the mid afternoon. I practiced for about 30 min. then I had to take a break. My left knee was hurting too much. Then, around 6ish, my leg was feeling better, so i practiced wit Jim Du (My sparring partner/coach for nationals) for 1-2 hours. After that, I called it a day and went back to the hotel. Friday, the moment of truth, am i going to make the junior national team this year? The final Round Robin was like at 5ish pm. I started out playing the lowest player in my round robin. Even though my knee was hurting... I still managed to play... After that match, I felt like no body in the tournament can beat me. To make a long story short... I finish 1st in my group, and was undefeated with a record of 5-0. After My last match that day, (my last match was against Dan Seemiller jr.) once I sat down and removed my leg brace... I felt the pain, it felt like a million needles stabbing my left knee.
Day 2, and the last day of the tournament, I had to play the crossovers for the junior event. I had to play Peter Li. He was a tough opponent, He was up 2-1 in game scores, and in the fourth game, he was up 4-0, But i managed to come back and win that game. then the deciding game of the match... i was down 3-0 in the 5th game. but in the end I managed to win and go to the Finals.
Finals of the Junior trials... I was leading in the first 2 games, but didnt take the opportunity that was given to me... so now i am down 2-0... Even though my left knee was injured and i am in a lot of pain, i managed to win the next 2 games. now the game score is 2-2, now for the final game... it was a close match, i was up 7-6 and justen called time out. then in the end, he had a little more luck than me, so he won the junior event...
But now that i think about it, if my knee wasn't injured, I would have won juniors easily. I guess life just hates me. Nothing ever goes smoothly for me.
I would like to thank Joola, my sponsor for supporting me this year, and supplying me with the superb equipment, Jim Du, he has helped me out alot this year by practicing with me, and coaching me at nationals, My coach Grace Lin for supporting me all these years, and i would also like to thank every one that supported me all these years, without you guys, I would not be this good.
Team JOOLA 
