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Wiser
Now, Some 1989 Competitors Prepare For Another Shot On Stage
At IJA Gold
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Those
people who compete in IJA championship events at conventions
get a few brief minutes to demonstrate expertise that took
countless hours to develop. To be prepared for their one-shot
opportunity, competitors spend many months honing their
routines. Juggler's World decided to check in with some of
last year's competitors to find out what they learned from the
experience, and if they're planning to try again.
But
first, the IJA's new championships director, Laura Green,
tells us about rules changes competitors will face in Los
Angeles. Green said the board of directors has recently passed
several changes, most of which affect the Juniors
Championships.
Foremost,
juniors competitors will undergo a preliminary examination by
a panel of judges, who will admit up to seven juniors into the
actual championships. Those acts not in the championships will
be invited to participate in the new "IJA Showcase of
Young Talent," an unjudged show. A reception for the
performers, friends, parents and championships competitors
after the showcase will give people a chance to comment on the
acts. "The idea is to give juniors who are not ready for
competitions a less pressured forum and get some feedback on
their acts," said Green.
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For
the first year there will also be Junior Teams championship.
Again, teams will undergo a preliminary examination, with up
to three making the finals. Other teams will be invited to
perform in the showcase.
Green
said junior joggling will be a new event this year, with men
and women under age 18 running together in a 100meter race.
The
maximum time limit for acts in the Individual and Teams
Championships will be extended to 8 minutes, and the minimum
time requirement will be dropped. The maximum number of acts
in each event will be eight.
The
other change affects the Numbers Championships, which will
become a less formal event. Green said the numbers will be
held in the gym without stopping open juggling otherwise in
the gym. "This year it will become more of a private
challenge for the people who think they can break the
records," said Green.
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And
now some reports from last year's IJA competitors:
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JOEY
LEMA
Joey
Lema says he learned a lot in Baltimore. He competed in the
Juniors Championships during his first IJA convention, and
finished 11th of 16 entrants. "I wasn't nervous before
the competition, but once I got up there I realized how much
pressure there is on stage. I just freaked out with all those
people," he said.
His
technique suffered from those nerves, and he didn't control
his hat tricks, 3-6 balls, cigar boxes and 3-4 clubs as well
as he had hoped. But, Lema says he plans to compete again. Not
in Los Angeles, where he would be an 18-year-old in the
Individuals Championships, but possibly the year after.
"It was a positive experience. I enjoyed being involved
rather than just sitting around and watching it," he
said.
He's
planning for the future based on Baltimore. "I liked the
acts that were different," he said. "I want to work
on my flair, character and performance."
He's
also learning shaker cups to be able to present a skill
outside the usual balls, clubs and rings. Though he has worked
at Knotts Berry Farm, this Tustin, Calif., high school student
is not doing much performing now. He's working hard on his
technique and receiving lots of encouragement at the weekly
meetings of the Orange Jugglers. He'll be back.
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