jperk1966

The World Martial Arts Union is starting a tournament circuit in 2006 which will return to the old school type rules. We are doing a 10 tournament circuit with our Nationals at the end of the year. Our tournament will be traditional. Black Belts will be allowed to use groin kicks and only clean contact will be scored as a point. Gi grabs and controlled take downs will be allowed in Black Belt divisions as well. We will also have a grappling division too.

Some very good pionts!! I have been teaching 24 years and training over thirty. in 24 years I have only promoted 5 people to Black Belt and no one under the age of 16. 8 and 10 year old Black Belts are a joke. Not only can they not defend themselves at that age they don not have the maturity to be a proper Black Belt. I was trained that you are a Black Belt in every part of your life not just in the dojo. I also agree you should train for reality and tournaments should test what you have learned. Years ago in the old AKA tournaments, it was common to see knockouts. Now if you rock a persons head back you get disqualified. You can't even use groin kicks any more. My belief is if you want to keep em, you better learn to protect them. Nothing teaches you to learn to block properly better than a kick or two in the groin.

I have been training in Karate, Tae Kwon do and Jui Jitsu for over thirty years now. I recently went to a tournament which was sponsored by several large sport martial arts associations. I couldn't believe what I saw! The forms divisions looked more like a gymnastics competition. The weapons division looked like something out of "The Last Dragon" and the Sparring looked like a game of tag. What has happened to the martial arts? I come from the old USKA and AKA circuits. When we sparred we went for it!! If you knocked out your opponent you won not get disqualified. Forms had practical application and the student knew the application of the form too. Form competetion is not all about how high you can jump or how pretty your uniform is. Many of us "Old Schoolers" want to see the old competitions come back and I hope they do before martial arts in whole suffers a black eye it will never recover from.

I don't understand why some people have a problem with Christians in Martial Arts. I was a High School and College wrestler and no one ever said "How can you be a wrestler and a Christian?" but as a Martial Artist I have heard that question many times. The points made on this board have been very good. I know in my search for answers and direction, it came down to knowing in my heart and soul that I was doing nothing that would conflict with my beliefs as a Christian. I know through my contacts in the martial arts community I have been given the opportunity to witness to many people and help lead several to the Lord. I think we as Christian Martial Artist need to educate those that don't understand and help them to know we are not doing anythings to put our souls in jeopardy. Blessings! Master James Perkins http://www.worldmartialartsunion.us