Open Karate Tournaments and Open WTF Tournaments

[isshinryu5toforever]

I was just at an open WTF tournament last night (January 29th). I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed in the way the tournament was run and the demeanor of some of the people. After going to traditional Karate tournaments, I am used to a certain level of respect and discipline being maintained by all those around you. Last night I saw kids running rampant, competitors arguing with judges all over the place, blatant disrespect on the part of both competitors and spectators, and a general lack of control by a lot of athletes. I can't say I've really been a big fan of coaching during the action. In between rounds I like, but during the match I don't. I am of course new to TKD, but I am not new to martial arts. I have been doing Isshin-Ryu Karate since I was 5 and I just turned 19. In the many Karate tournaments I went to, none of these things happened. Last night we had a black belt protest a referee's call by laying down in the middle of the ring and refusing to move. There were water bottles left, everywhere. Spills weren't cleaned up, garbage was thrown all over the place. I've seen black belts stop people and make them pick up garbage at Karate tournaments. After this rant, I suppose my question is, are we allowing the martial arts to be taken over by too much of a sport atmosphere. The cussing, disrespect, and lack of emotional control are things that happen at hockey games, not martial arts competitions. On a side note, I also saw far too many 7-year-old third degree black belts.

[Kumite988]

I hope to never seen traditional karate tournaments turn into somehting like that.

[Kicks]

are we allowing the martial arts to be taken over by too much of a sport atmosphere.

 

It looks like the promoter of that tournament is. But in general I'd have to say "No". It depends on the promoter, weather it be a local tournament or a national organization. I've seen disrespectful things happen at USTU nationals that AAU or ATA would never stand for. It snowballs. If one person is allowed to get away with unsportmenship, then others will try also.

 

Here's an example. I was one the center ref at a local tournament sponsored by another school. One of my students was in my ring for sparring. I'm good friend with his parents. His dad stepped into the ring to give his son some advice. I asked him to step out. During the match he shouted instructions, to which I had to ask him not to. At the break he started to step in the ring again and I then had to issue a warning to his son (half point deduction) and warn him that I would have him escorted out the gym. He was shocked that a friend and instructor for his son would do such a thing. But hey, you gotta be fair to everybody no matter what school they are from. If I had allowed him to do all that, then other parents would have wanted to do the same.

[1kickKO]

All of the tournies I have been to have had a great atmosphere, but some people are just...to say it blatantly...ignorant when it comes to karate. They don't know what sportsmanship means...and those are the kinds of tournaments to stay away from.

[ialwaysgethit]

that is a real disappointment to hear about that competition.

 

I went to a WKF one the other month and i was really impressed, as i have been to some 'Opens' before where they had wepons sections, and by the end of the day i had nearly lost all of my limbs twice over.

 

someof those protest you mentioned, were besare, at our association you would be picked up and thrown out along with the rest of the team

[isshinryu5toforever]

I have a lot of respect for the WKF tournaments I have been too. Thus far, I have seen nothing but courtesy and respect during those tournaments. They are well run and well attended. The WTF one was a disappointment.