I Got Punched in the Face in America

I came to Hollywood to get punched in the face, competing in a chess boxing match after three months of intense preparation. It's a wild mix of fast-paced boxing and trying to think straight for chess, all while dealing with the pressure of a crowd. You step into that ring, and for a small part of the world, everything else gets blocked out. It's a roller coaster, but you just have to trust your training and get on it. I went every single round, and it felt like an endless fight, but it was incredibly intense and entertaining. I won on time, which was amazing after throwing away my queen earlier in the match. This whole experience has given me immense respect for fighters and the discipline it takes.

The day after the fight, I celebrated on Santa Monica Pier with a 'Jappa dog' – a wagyu beef and pork hot dog from a food truck, despite it having nothing Japanese about it. If it's good enough for Ice Cube and Steven Seagal, it's good enough for me! It was a delicious meal to end my trip to America, even with seagulls circling around trying to steal a bite.