Direction of MA Competitions

[SloMo]

I just watched the Discover Channel show on XMA. I'm beginning to think that the Discovery Channel is forgetting that it's supposed to educate and entertain. I was hoping to see more "science" of what the people were doing and why but..... oh well.

OK, now my question. Do you think the back flips, tumbling and 540 kicks are here to stay or are we trending back toword the traditional stuff. The reason I ask is that I saw a video for last years US Open and while some of the top winners were the extreme gymnastics, one of the top people was a traditional form ( I wish my forms looked that good! ) Do you think judges are looking less at the jumping around now or are they going the other way and looking for more flash and less substance.

I apologize now to anyone I offend with comments like "flash vs substance" but the most gymnastic thing I've seen any style teach is a dive roll.

[aefibird]

I'm going to move this over to the Sport MA forum.

[White_Tiger]

I agree with you about the Discovery channel show. It turned out to be a XMA commercial. I think there is room for both the XMA style and the traditional style tournaments...I just don't think they belong together. I have judged many tournaments, and I don't think I could judge an 'Extreme' form and a traditional form in the same ring.

[pittbullJudoka]

I agree with yoy guys.I was disappointed in that show they could have used the time to educate people in the diffrent systems studied around the world and show the diffrences between traditional and extreme martial arts.White Tiger they show also be judged in diffrent rings at tournies.

[aefibird]

I also agree that XMA and traditional forms should not be in the same ring together.

It can be very frustrating for a traditional stylist to work hard ton their form for a competition, but to lose to someone who we technically inferior but included backflips...

There should be a place for XMA - but not mixed with traditional styles.

I agree with you about the Discovery Channel too. Over here in the UK it is becoming less and less informative and more of a plug for whoever has sponsored the programme. I watched a show last week supposedly about the history and science of trainers (sneakers) and it was just a huge plug for Nike, rather than anything informative or factual.