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Author Topic: Competition improves the breed ?  (Read 1362 times)

Offline Huw

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Competition improves the breed ?
« on: October 10, 2003, 03:38:49 PM »
In the pub last night Gizmo suggested that competition kumite is in many ways detrimental to the development of a karateka's skills. In broad strokes his argument was that 'juicyest' target zones and most effective (i.e. deadly) techniques are banned from competition, therefore competitive kumite is pretty much a meaningless tag match. I'm sure Gizmo will expand/correct in due course.

Given this is there any real value to competition karate ?
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Offline Moley

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Re: Competition improves the breed ?
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2003, 04:56:49 PM »
Quote from: Huw


Given this is there any real value to competition karate ?


Maybe and I stress Maybe !

Facing Nervousness ?
Timing Practice ?
Performing in front of a large Audience ?
Preparation for Grading ?
Dealing with oncoming attacks (Albeight Karate Comp Type attacks) ?
Attacking with those techniques not banned ? Some can still be pretty effective.
An effective Testosterone release (relief ?)
Publicity material ?
Trophies  :P
 :wink:
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Offline Azzy_Stealth

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Competition improves the breed ?
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2003, 05:48:25 PM »
Also!

It allows other clubs to Meet each other
Disscuss matters
Compare techniques
See other clubs standards.

It can be taken very seriously or as an opportunity to gather and socialise.
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Offline Lloydie

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Competition improves the breed ?
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2003, 11:39:59 PM »
I got loads out of the brief period I was in the comp.  Just being there for the 1st time was good, the doubts and rushes of adrenaline were part of the learning for me.  When i got up for the kumite, I deliberately did not look at my opponent until I had tied the red belt around me.  Only then did i look at him,  trying to keep calm as I thought <that's a big bas***d>.  Six months ago I would have been trying to find out who he was, how big he was, how good he was, I was certainly less nervous than  the 1st time I did kumite in a grading.  I must admit that really enjoyed the comp experience.  Watching the fellow Seki do their stuff really brought home a sense of team spirit, and it was fabulous to see the Seki competitors being so supportive of one another.

Does it help with the things that Moley listed?

Quote
Facing Nervousness ?
Timing Practice ?
Performing in front of a large Audience ?
Preparation for Grading ?
Dealing with oncoming attacks (Albeight Karate Comp Type attacks) ?
Attacking with those techniques not banned ? Some can still be pretty effective.
An effective Testosterone release (relief ?)

definitely

Kev (B) said to me prior to the comp that he thought it was essential to compete before grading for shodan, and I believe him.  I certainly intend to go back next year and maybe the year after.  I feel an urge to get it out my blood (best way I can put it).

I also hold with what Gizmo said, that one's competition period should be brief.  "Do it then move on" seems a right approach to me.  This is not in any way to criticise those who compete, far from it.  To each his/her own.  The application of karate to real life scenarios interests me more at the moment than competition, but I think I'll "av a go" at a couple more.

lloydie
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Offline Shari

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Competition improves the breed ?
« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2003, 08:32:30 AM »
:) Like Lloydie  I got a lot out of the comp ( apart from the back massage) even if my part was only a few minutes.  knowing that other members club were there rooting fo you  did give you a boost.
I will enter again next year I know that I will be up against a lot of good people but i will have a good try.

roll on next October.
 :D
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Offline Huw

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Competition improves the breed ?
« Reply #5 on: October 12, 2003, 08:04:51 AM »
No surprises here but I too very much enjoyed the competition. The benefits of kumite competition, as I see them anyway, are:

Self-confidence.
Speed and timing.
Focus.

I think the experience also made me more aware of my weaknesses :

Poor blocking,
Kicking - I didn't even attempt a single kick,
Control - started badly but improved throughout the day.

Can't really comment on kata as I don't really remember that bit !!!  :oops:

H
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Offline Moley

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Competition improves the breed ?
« Reply #6 on: October 12, 2003, 09:00:40 PM »
Quote from: Huw
I think the experience also made me more aware of my weaknesses :

Kicking - I didn't even attempt a single kick,

H


Cos I told you not to !
You listened - good on you.
And it WORKED !

 :wink:
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Offline Huw

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Competition improves the breed ?
« Reply #7 on: October 12, 2003, 09:09:53 PM »
Quote from: Moley

Cos I told you not to !
You listened - good on you.


Moley, I stopped listening to you after your 'advice' concering Naito Sensei  in Edinburgh.  :lol:  :lol:

I think my inability to kick won out over any deliberate strategy. Something to practise for the future maybe.
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Offline Genjo Fudoki

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Competition improves the breed ?
« Reply #8 on: November 18, 2003, 02:24:00 PM »
It seems that in the west people grow up in a culture of competitiveness, this may or may not mean that they are more likely to want to take part in more Kumite. As one writer has already expressed it is very good if individuals such as karate-ka do this purely to find personal weakness but questionable if it is for personal ends, such as i am stonger than you!!! Let us not forget that the journey is the most important and not the goal. just because you may be more physically capable, mental strength is less obvious and besides what do you gain in pointing out a fellows weakness without your own?! Mutual respect and self-improvement should validate Kumite, not individual ignorance or anger.
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Offline Shari

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Competition improves the breed ?
« Reply #9 on: November 18, 2003, 04:22:21 PM »
Welcome to the forum Genjo Fudoki it's nice to see new people joining us.
 Shari
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Offline Moley

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Competition improves the breed ?
« Reply #10 on: November 18, 2003, 05:50:09 PM »
Let us not forget that the journey is the most important and not the goal.

I agree entirely with you here Genjo, all that exists is here and now, the past is gone and tomorrow isn't here yet. So everybody should enjoy "The Journey" i.e. the training.

Just like to ask you, what you PERSONALLY think of Miyamoto Musashi as a "COMPETITOR" ?
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Offline Genjo Fudoki

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Competition improves the breed ?
« Reply #11 on: November 19, 2003, 09:12:54 AM »
difficult Musashi question. I know there are some in Japan who despise his 'clinical' approach to strategy....which has set up the critique that he failed in all other aspects of his life...ie no descendents to carry on his form/legacy. As a competitor I simply do not know- dedicated yes, missing the point-yes perhaps, sacrificing his humanity-also yes, Dedication- was beyond compare.
However the fact that what we know of him is from his own writings ...then a gap of around 150 years before his mythological status was conceived in Japan by heroes of japan revivalists, makes for difficult analysis.
Back to the question i simply do not know!
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Offline Jewels

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Competition improves the breed ?
« Reply #12 on: November 30, 2003, 01:52:14 PM »
What a revolting character... :x   any whiff of him and his competitors would surely have asphyxiated.. never mind him, what about Tomoe Gozen..female Samurai Warrior, 1084 or (thereabouts) fearless in battle...bet she dident stink as well  :twisted:
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