Choosing a new weapon for tournaments

[aes]

I have been competing in tournaments for about 2 years now using a bo. It has been suggested that I should consider changing my weapon to something that more suits my style/body shape.

 

I am 5'8" in good shape but run about 175lbs, so that puts me in the stalky catagory. I have shortish legs compared to my body. It has been suggested that a bo looks better on a taller skinny build and I should maybe consider changing to a different weapon. The weapon should be traditional and I am about 1/2 way (time wise) to my black belt.

 

I tend to like "power katas" instead of finesse ones if you know what I mean. So I am wondering if anyone into traditional weapons has any suggestions?

 

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[isshinryu5toforever]

I am 5'8" 185 lbs, and I have done just fine with the traditional bo. The tonfa may present a good option for you though. I have seen a few power katas done with those.

[Taku-Shimazu]

Tofa indeed.

 

Tonfa are a usefull weapon, they enable weak users immediate strength and they increase the strength of the strong by at least a theoretical x2 multiplier.

[Shorinryu Sensei]

I have been competing in tournaments for about 2 years now using a bo. It has been suggested that I should consider changing my weapon to something that more suits my style/body shape.

 

I am 5'8" in good shape but run about 175lbs, so that puts me in the stalky catagory. I have shortish legs compared to my body. It has been suggested that a bo looks better on a taller skinny build and I should maybe consider changing to a different weapon. The weapon should be traditional and I am about 1/2 way (time wise) to my black belt.

 

I tend to like "power katas" instead of finesse ones if you know what I mean. So I am wondering if anyone into traditional weapons has any suggestions?

 

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

If all you're interested in is tournament competitions and weapons, I'd suggest doing whichever weapon you are most comfortable with, and good at. If that's the bo, then stick with the bo.

 

I've been a judge since about 1980 at open (all style) tournaments, and for me, I'd rather see a good, strong effective bo kata any day over a flashy junk kata with any other weapon. I'm sitting there as a judge looking for good, strong, solid technique...not flash. The weapon you chose doesn't matter...technique and knowledge does.

[aes]

Thank you everyone for your input.

[tommarker]

besides, think of all those stocky little okinawans who use the bo. no one would tell THEM that they need to choose a different weapon

[cathal]

LOL yes. And you don't have to pick a thin bo, go for a thicker bo, maybe 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

[aes]

Well after a lot of consideration including how expensive the weapon is, I think I am going to go with starting to learn the Nunchaku. This is partly due to my daughters interest in this weapon so we can learn it together.

 

I will keep doing bo kata as well.

 

The kata I think I will be learning is

 

Kingawa Nunchaku

[aes]

I've been a judge since about 1980 at open (all style) tournaments, and for me, I'd rather see a good, strong effective bo kata any day over a flashy junk kata with any other weapon. I'm sitting there as a judge looking for good, strong, solid technique...not flash. The weapon you chose doesn't matter...technique and knowledge does.

 

Well currently I have only learned bo for tournament purposes, so I don't know what I am good at because I cannot compare.

 

Our competitions are traditional and katas are not the flashy ones in general. Yes skill is what is rewarded.

 

For hand kata I am currently doing Passai Sho.

 

I like the bo, but it is hard for me to practice in winter (indoors) at home and everyone is doing bo right now so might be nice to give a variety.

 

Tonight will be my first night of trying the nunchuku.

 

Last week I had a taste of the sai doing Mastu Heiga no sai.

[strangepair03]

aes...for indoor winter practise I have been using a 4 foot 1 3/4 inch wooden dowel I bought at home depot....I can go thru my kata with proper hand placement and I don't smash up the house (usually!!!) Hope this help