Hey, i'm an A level student in the uk, and I do Wado Ryu karate anyhow, i'm doing my 'national study' for my sports studies, i'm stuck on progression pathways, and ive focused on to two methods of attaining an elite status in karate, competitions and gradings, in this day and age, would you guys still think you could argue that a performer of a very high grade is on par with an internaitional competitor? obviously to spar, you don't really need a black belt 6th dan, so my question is, if there is an international champion in free style karate or the likes, but not a very high grade - brown and white for example, and than someone who had a black belt 8th dan but does not actively compete in comps, who is the more elite in your opinion, and which do belive to be the better method of recognising or attaining an elite status? I think grading as sparing is a part and depending on the style or Governing body you may have to actualy beat your opponent to pass the grading (GKR apparently follows this rule?) however, to win a competition, it coud be done hypotheticly with basic techniques - i.e side, front and round house kicks so obviously not a high demand of abuility to perform these movments, so a blue belt could win competitions and gain an elite status, but if you compare the blue belt champion with the 'master', who is the more elite? mixed views on the internet as gradings can be adapted, made esier (grade for all concept) but in a comp you either win or loose the fight. I appolagise for any mistakes both in knowledge or SPAG as its in a rush with several younger siblings jumping about in the background and dyslexia... so not the best combination in the wolrd haha anyhow any perceptions on this matter or links to websites on this or similar matters would be wonderful, please reply ASAP, thanks all
