"...and finally the winner of the lightweight competition...Sasha Mikaelova!", the speaker roared in the mic, rising my hand. Before me, some flashing lights shone from the crowd, capturing forever that moment. My GI was open, disclosing my fit body and the orange sport bra that I was wearig. I smiled confidently to the cameras. On my side, the boy that I had just defeated in the State's white belts jiu jitsu tournament was visibly less happy. I didn't remember his name and I didn't care. He'd been good, better than many disputants of that tournament, but not on my same level. "Yeeah! Congrats!" a cheerful voice sounded nearby "I knew that you would have kicked asses today!". Turning around I saw my girlfriend Marika. She was another contestant of that competition. Just few hours before, I had esily (and gently) defeated her on the tatami with a soft headlock. She was one year older than me but less experienced, having started jiu jitsu only recently. I was, on the opposite, a tough opponent for everyone.

In jiu jitsu I was only a white belt (almost blue) but I'd been practising martial arts since childhood, especially taekwondo and judo. That knowledge endowed me with great flexibility and the right amount of combativeness, so when I started this new sport I was ready. Shortly after my 18th birthday I was feeling invincible, as the victory in that under-20 mixed-gender tournament certified. In my age and weight range I was the best in jiu jitsu. Honestly, I always knew the extent of my skills. In my high school I had a not-so-good reputation because I loved to tussle with the opposite sex. For years I enjoyed humiliating my biggest schoolmates, picking up the most attractive and athletic. The wisest among them finished either squealing under my shoes or scared against a wall, whereas those too proud ended up in hospital. Despite my angelic face I had become a nightmare for both students and teachers. That was my nature and I couldn't help but to follow it. My parents knew everyting about my behaviour of course. However, my mother was mentally too weak to confront me, while my father turned out to be physically too weak.

"Sasha, honey...what are you thinking?", Marika asked, stopping my stream of thoughts. I kissed her on the lips. "Nothing honey, I'm happy!", I replied, gifting her with another kiss. In that moment a man appeared on our side. "I am happy too darling! Congrats to you both!", he said. He was my uncle Alexander, the only relative that I had in that part of the State and therefore the only person that could host me and Marika that night. "Thank you uncle...", I responded with a forced smile. He was a good man but a bit too assertive for my tastes. We didn't get along...we had both strong personalities. "Ok take a shower and let's go back home celebrating", he proposed. "Ehm...Mr.Alexander", Marika cleared her voice, "There are only two showers for 70 athlets here...maybe it'd be a good idea to go and take the shower later". "Ok, no problem", my uncle said, "We are just 20 minutes from home. Change your clothes and reach me outside". We went to the locker rooms, took a picture together and change in casual dress. Once in the car we fell asleep. The journey took a little longer than expected and only 40 minutes later we got to the uncle's house. I woke up completely restored.