Sunday, November 15, 2015

District 51 Evaluation contest 2015

Finally I made it as District champion (national level) for speech evaluation contest 2015 . I can't ask for better Deepavali gift than this victory.

Moreover , it's my 10th anniversary joining Toastmasters organisation.
Being 2nd place twice in 2013 and 2014 , it really sweet moment to taste the championship.

I was still trying to digest for the past few days. It's something which can't be said with words.

Its the patience and persistence which made me to reach this level.
Competing against 10 other contenders was never an easy task.

Thank you to all the members whom groomed me by giving continuous moral support and encouragement to enable me to reach this stage.

Thank you to all the clubs which gave the opportunity to be the speech evaluator.
As tiger woods says, "let your sticks to speak for you". For me this trophy spoke for my success. Success is a journey, and mine just started.




Here's my history in evaluation contest since I joined Toastmasters :

2005 : Didn't participate (too new)
2006 : Didn't participate (still leaning)
2007 : Division level (2nd place)
2008 : Didn't participate (area governor)
2009 : Club level (disqualified)
2010 : Division level (unplaced)
2011 : Area level (2nd place)
2012 : Didn't participate (Division governor)
2013 : District level (2nd place)
2014 : District level (2nd place)
2015 : District level (CHAMPION)

My own recipe made me to win. It's hardwork plus honesty.

When I was in the briefing room, it started late, due to arrival of contest chair. I can't blame him as he took the courage to deliver the role after being discharged from hospital just 3 days before the briefing. In addition, he also had to manage the family with Deepavali preparations.

When the balloting took place, I slowly opened it. My hope was not in the 1st 5 contestants. Slowly everyone started to say out the number, and first few has gone. I opened mine and it was number 10 (2nd last contestant). The 11th contestant was Selvaraj from Ipoh. He is a senior and seasoned contestant.

The rest were relatively new except for Manimala and Chen Choon whom has been on the district finals before. I have seen the test speaker before during Ipoh convention (not as contestant, but as pause filler). Nevertheless, its 2 years, and anything could happen. Thus I went with open mind.

The speaker started to speak, and only 1 word I can say, it's hilarious. Next, we were brought to the quarantine room. I took my spot. The room was too cold that I had to go to toilet twice. Upon surrendering the scripts, i had roughly half hour. Of course, few contestants started to rehearse and some were chit-chatting. My task was to ensure I don't loose focus.

When it was my turn, i was accompanied by 2 SAA. Felt like boss is walking.

When i went into the room, took my last sip of water, went to my seat and left my script. An the show begins.

Upon completing the contest, I rushed to my room to check out as there were only 10 minutes. Along the way I meet 2 Toastmasters and they said mine was the best. In my heart, i knew I'm in the top 3.

Now, its the results time. There were 2 time disqualification. I knew I'm not because, my last sentences were during red light.

3rd place was Lim Pei Ying (Crystal TMC, Division B), 2nd place was Lee Chen Choon (Elite TMC, Division J). At this time my heart was beating fast. There's Selvaraj, Manimala and few more names not uttered. And the CHAMPION is.........S.Meyyappa Manickam.....

Wow..it's really my day. I felt so humbled by the victory. Upon the closing ceremony, it took me 1 hour to reach the lunch area, although it's suppose to be only 2 minutes.

Now I'm also in the league of Champions.

I didn't blog about my division contest, as my aim was to make it to District, thus, didn't wanted to brag about division titles anymore.

Now, there's no need to look at the challenges that certain people gave me, as I could grasp it all and came with victory.

Just an advise to the people outside, if you cant support, at least don't sabotage.

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