I went to Brazil with my friends from U.S. Kuo Shu Academy martial arts school for the World Kuo Shu Federation tournament, but we stayed longer to enjoy the beautiful country.
My Brazil Adventure
TWKSF Tournament
My friends and I had qualified for the world tournament as part of the U.S. team. I competed in two World events, Ba Gua Long Staff and Xing Yi Long Staff, taking gold in both. I also competed in the International tournament happening at the same time and took gold in women’s Yang Style Tai Ji Empty Hand event.
Beautiful Brazil
We decided to stay longer after the competition to explore São Paulo, Ilhabela, Santos, and Iguaçu Falls. We only had about a week more, but we were able to do plenty in that time, including boat rides, whitewater rafting, zip lining, and exploring the cities and towns.
And yes, we did have churrasco! Though some of my favorite meals were much simpler in the beach towns and consisted of fresh fish and rice.
Wildlife
We saw wild monkeys, coati, and birds! While we did see some in the wild, including a toucan, to get close up, we went to a bird park. I know, cheating, but it was the best way to see them all.
They were incredible.
Brazil offered the perfect combination of competition and adventure. From the martial arts tournament to exploring the country’s natural beauty and activities, it was an unforgettable experience.