like drowning | hyunlix

1 : it was damn close

A few evenings earlier:

The wind was blowing cold and even the sight of the lovely town of Odivelas at night couldn't make up for the chill that crept under the layers of his probably too-thin clothing. And yet Felix was beaming from ear to ear. His gaze was fixed firmly on the nearby Pavilhão Multiusos de Odivelas hall, where he was due to enter the match in just a few more days.

He had made it, he was here. Here in Odivelas, here at the first international tournament of the year and the first international tournament of his life.

If he had been told a year ago that he would be on the next list of participants at the Grand Prix Portugal he would have laughed at that and cried inside, because an actual international career seemed like an unattainable dream. Within reach and yet always a few inches too far away. Yet he had had the potential all along. Just his coach hadn't been able to push him - hadn't been able to support him - as much as he would have needed, not even in the slightest.

But by chance, Felix met Chan, an old friend from his childhood who was already participating in international judo competitions. Chan recognized his hidden potential and everything changed abruptly for him. Felix changed coaches on his advice, was also taken under his wing along the way and finally skyrocketed nationally, as a late bloomer - the news had made international headlines.

Finally, last month, he had managed to qualify for the national team of Judo Australia - the national judo federation of Australia. Sometimes he still felt like he was dreaming, but the breeze of the Odivelas night air brushed his face for real - he was living the dream.

"Felix?" the blond turned to the voice. Chan and Seungmin - another international judoka he had met through Chan and was now friends with - had already moved on. The cold was written all over their faces too as they waited for him at the next corner. "Are you coming?" Seungmin added.

"Sure, sorry."

With one last glance behind him at the hall, he hurried to catch up so that they could continue on their way. Their destination: the unofficial opening ceremony for the Grand Prix.

Before the first major international tournament of each year - the annual Grand Prix Portugal - this party was sponsored and organized by many athletes. From year to year, coaches also joined in or at least attended the party. This included Chan, who was attending for the first time as coach of the Australian juniors - under 21-year-olds - rather than as an active judoka.

And Felix was more than eager to become part of this tradition and possibly contribute something. So he happily hooked up with Chan and Seungmin as soon as he had caught up with them.

"By the way, Minho told me that he'll probably come this year too," Chan grinned and not only Felix's eyes but also Seungmin's grew wide. Despite his young age, he had already been the coach of Korea's senior national team - the over-21s - for several years. The fact that this was mainly due to the fact that Minho was unable to actively continue his judo career due to a sports accident gave the whole thing a bitter aftertaste. Nevertheless, as a judo coach he was now possibly an even bigger star than when he was active and by then he was already the talk of the town.

Continuing to talk about which coaches could realistically turn up at the party, they approached the location not far from the hall.

When they left their coats and jackets at the checkroom, there were still the three of them. Barely two feet further on, the trio had already lost Chan and Seungmin was greeted by judoka from his weight class. So Felix made his way to the party hall alone. The oversized open doors revealed a hall that looked much cosier the closer Felix got to it.

The lighting was pleasantly dimmed and created a cozy atmosphere in the high ceilinged ballroom. Various tables and seating options were spread across the entire area - from bar to bar - and were already surrounded by many stylish judoka. Music was also playing from somewhere, transforming the scenery into a living painting. As soon as he stepped over the threshold, he automatically felt part of the flair.