The first international Mantis Boxing Competition – and what I took home was more than a medal
Before I came to Laiyang for the competition I thought this trip was about proving myself and getting the best ranking. But it turned into something bigger: a reminder that mindset is a skill – and that a score doesn’t reflect everything.
Day 1 – Museum of Mantis Boxing and Opening Ceremony
It took about a two-hour drive from the school to Laiyang. When we arrived, we checked into a really fancy hotel, registered for the competition, and grabbed food. They had a huge variety- all Chinese- and it honestly felt like the perfect start.
After a short rest, we visited a mantis boxing museum. Everything was in Chinese, anyway—I could still get the key points of it: the styles and the masters, a little bit of the history. One guy even showed some mantis skills on the spot. And because I speak Chinese, they wanted to interview me. Being a foreigner here definitely makes you “special”
That evening, we had the opening ceremony in a huge stadium. There were not that many foreigners and I was the only one representing Germany. The official part felt endless, but once the mantis boxing show started, the atmosphere changed. It reminded me why I train in the first place. After that we went back to the hotel to recover—grateful for air conditioning in this hot, humid weather.
Day 2 – Start of the competition, Preparation and Show
Day 2 was the day the competition started. We weren’t competing yet, so we used the day to get familiar with the sports ground and watch other groups. The audience space was super limited, but Shifu managed to get us in. I watched closely—not just the movements, but the energy behind them. After lunch, we went to the park to review our forms. And in the evening, we watched another show with performers from different mantis styles. And I loved that part: seeing how the same art can look completely different. Each form had its own character. It reminded me that there isn’t just one way to be strong—strength can be slow and calm, explosive, and fast. I learned a lot just by observing.
Tag 3 – My day of the competition!
Then it was my big day.
I woke up early and got ready—makeup, breakfast, everything. At 7:30 we headed to the competition place, but our group was one of the last, so we waited until around 10. I felt tired, and honestly, waiting is its own test. I started thinking about: *What if I smash into the people competing with me? The people I am competing with are so good…*
But I reminded myself:
I came here do my best and to to get a little bit closer to my dream.
Finally, we started warming up and lining up with our group to go to the sports ground where we were going to perform. I was moving around, repeating parts of my form—To tell my body:
You can do it. You’ve trained for this. Believe in yourself!
And then suddenly everything went fast. I was already standing on the mat. I started my form. And it went quite smoothly. I didn’t make any mistakes. Although I felt not completely stable in some moves, I thought I did not a bad job.
Of course, I knew I was competing against champions. But the result… wasn’t what I had hoped for. At first, I felt disappointed. Because when you work hard, you want it to show in the results ….
Later that afternoon, I was asked to perform in front of all the masters. I hadn’t expected to perform again at all. So when Shifu pushed me toward the stage, it still felt like a surprise.
But the second I stepped up, something changed. I stopped thinking about results. I stopped thinking about the people watching me. I was just there—focused and fully present in my form. And I felt it: the power that comes from being relaxed. Not tense. Not forced.
When I went back to my seat, someone put a hand on my shoulder and said, “Good job.” And my Shifu was smiling. And in that moment, I felt proud—not because of a medal, but because I realized: I didn’t hide. I showed up in front of all these Masters.
The schedule was tight. When we arrived at the hotel, dinner was already waiting. And right after dinner, I performed again in the park across from the hotel. And this time? I wasn’t nervous at all. I could actually enjoy it.
The most important thing I took home…
That’s what I’ll remember most: not the score, but the shift.
The moment I went from *trying to prove myself* to simply *being myself*—showing what I already worked hard for, with discipline, with heart, with passion.
I had a wonderful evening, and the next day we had a little free time to explore Laiyang before driving back to school.
And now the journey continues.
In the next months, I’ll keep training at my master’s school to improve my skills. But this competition reminded me that mindset matters just as much as physical ability. If your mind hinders the body, you’ll never show what you’re capable of.
Progress isn’t always a podium. Sometimes progress is stepping onto the mat—even when you’re tired, even when you’re nervous, even when you’re disappointed—and doing it anyway. And I know I improved and that my growth is real—even if not everyone sees it yet. I want to believe more in myself!
I’ll keep sharing how my journey continues.
Thank you for following along!