Other memories of Cindy Rothrock

 

Other memories of Cindy Rothrock

 

The reality around CIndy Rothrock back in the early 1980s is much more complex than a few words. She competed then in Karate tournaments because that was what was available. She was dynamic and her forms were often custom built from her then husbands knowledge for her abilities. There were literally no standards for thse karate judges to use for her. Not a word against her abilities, far above mine. But often the judges were forced to make apples and bannanas anologies in judging. There were incredible karateka competing against her too. Some with tradigional forms, some with custom built forms. And that was during the time before she went national where most of the forms were custom built. It was a very different time IMO

  

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

 

One of my most intense memories of Cindy Rothrock competing back in the early came from a small tournament in the early 1980s. Cindy in weapons competition tied with Edward Hampton Agrella. So there would be a tie breaker runoff competition.

 

Back then almost the same crew of judges, in Region 10, decided every competition. They all had seen Cindy and Edward many times, each of them willing on occassion. They were not the only good weapons competitors in the region, but that day was that day. The unwritten rule in ties there, was to succeed you needed great performance with a diffeent weapon. Use of the same weapon showed that you did not have the depth for the competition championship.

 

So they did a different weapon form, both forms were good again they tied. Necessitating a 3^rd round and again with a different weapon. They were both that prepared and when the competition began again they each did a 3^rd form. Once again both forms were very good, and again they were tied.

 

That of course meant a 4^th round. That necessitated digging with friends for a 4^th weapon to use.Each was able to find one and they competed once again. Again both of them were tied. So there would be a 5^th round.]

 

That meant more searching among friends. Harder for Cindy as there were far fewer Chinese competitors. Each found their weapon, each delivered a skilled performance.

 

I am no longer sure, but I think Cindy might have been judged stronger in that weapon form.

 

But it matters little today, the lesson is each of them had such depth from their training to be able to do that. I can think of 2 or 3 others in that region summarily skilled.

 

When you think of your own efforts

 

I remember her doing forms with:

 

          Staff

          Straight Sword

          Double Straight Sword

          Steel Whip

          Saber

          Double Saber

          Double Hook Swords

          Ring Knives

          And I am sure there are more.