Part-294

  With a final burst of energy, James focused all his strength into a single move. He feio the right, drawing Saimum in, and then pivoted sharply, using his body weight to execute a perfect throw. The crowd erupted in a mix of cheers and gasps as Saimum hit the mat with a thud.

  James quickly followed through, attempting to secure the pin. Saimum struggled beh him, but the hold was tight. The referee moved in, ting down.

  “Owo!”

  James could feel the pressure of the moment. He fought against the urge to celebrate too soon.

  “Three!”

  The whistle blew, and the crowd exploded into cheers. James released his hold and stood up, breathing heavily but feeling exhirated.

  Saimum grinned as he stood, James a handshake. “You got me this time. Well pyed.”

  James shook his hand, a smile spreading across his face. “Thanks. That was tough.”

  As they left the mat, James g his teammates, who greeted him with cheers and high-fives. Ryan cpped him on the back, his grin wide.

  “I told you we’d win,” Ryan said.

  James ughed, feeling the weight of the match lift from his shoulders. “Yeah, you did.”

  The victory was sweet, but James khis was just the beginning. There would be more challenges ahead—and he was ready.

  The air ihe National Judo Championship stadium felt heavier today. Although the final matches were still two days away, the tension was already palpable among the athletes. Every team peting had sharpeheir skills and spirits for months to reach this point. Banani High’s team, despite some early losses, had pushed through to the quarter-finals, and the weight of the uping matches loomed over them like a storm cloud.

  James kheir journey had been anything but easy, and the end was still far from certai as they began ing up for the day, he felt a sense of unity with his teammates that was hard to describe—a silent but mutual trust that whatever happehey would face it together.

  As the team fiheir other matches and made their way toward the exit of the stadium, a heavy siletled over them. The weight of the day’s matches was still fresh on everyone’s mind, and fatigue hung in the air. James walked beside Ryan, with Sourov and Zia close behind. Nabi and the irls trailed slightly, chatting softly to ease their nerves. But as they reached the double doors leading to the parking lot, Ryan came to an abrupt halt.

  “What the—” Sourov bumped into Ryan’s back, rubbing his shoulder. “What’s the holdup?”

  James moved forward, instinctively sing the area. “Ryan?” he asked, his voice cautious.

  Ryan didn’t respht away, his eyes fixed ahead. Following his gaze, James spotted them—Jel and his team.

  They stood in the middle of the exit, blog the way with an air ant ease. Jel leaned casually against the wall, hands stuffed into his pockets, the faint trace of a smirk dang on his lips. His teammates lounged around him, their rexed postures disguising the dangerous aura they exuded.