De-evolution of competitions

[Sam]

Yeah i think thats a good idea actually! - just have a separate division for the XMa/ flashy stuff,.... least that gives everyone a happy medium and also makes standardising easier.

[y2_sub]

Sounds pathetic to me , was that a fashion show or a martial arts tournament ??? by the way , was it full contact or point sparring ?

In my style , you are only allowed to compete in a white gi with your belt on .

[scottnshelly]

by the way , was it full contact or point sparring ?

Point sparring. Two minutes, stopping after each point to call the points. One point for everything, nothing to the face - except in adult Black Belts, nothing below the waist except to the groin.

[cleung]

Scott,

I think you should try and go see one of the bigger tournaments, especially in either NASKA or NBL circuits. There are traditional forms divisions there at the bigger events.

[scottnshelly]

Scott,

I think you should try and go see one of the bigger tournaments, especially in either NASKA or NBL circuits. There are traditional forms divisions there at the bigger events.

I competed in the NBL for a couple years, several years ago. Even then I was not too pleased with the amount of “flashy” non-traditional stuff included in the “traditional” events. I can imagine that it has only deteriorated further since then.

[TAZ]

I, personally, have only been to two tournaments of which I am in a school that is affiliated with the association. The first one I went to was excellent. The second one was mediocre. The second one had several divisions that consisted of one, two, or even three competitors.

For example, at the second one there was a women's black belt sparring division that had only 3 fighters. The sad thing was that the division was so small that one of our 5th kyu's was put in that division. The cool thing is she took 1st. This was a continuous sparring match, not 3-point. In another event called "self defense", there was only one competitor, a brown belt. Naturally she got first, although she could not even remember what to do. Not to mention the fact that she had no technique at all. Anyway, I hope that future tournaments with this particular association will improve. I see great potential for this association.

[shogeri]

Though I stopped competing, in oklahoma they are mediocre and or just plain sad examples of tournaments.

[blackbeltb584]

Did you go to an OKA tournament?

[IronWarrior]

Its sad to see but it seems to be out numbering traditional karate, 'sport karate' I remember back around 1995 I competed in a Open sport Karate tournament in the Kata division 'traditional forms' and I did my form to a tee e.t.c.. after I placed 8th out of 20 competitors the judge said my stances were not low enough and here was a high ranking shihan telling me this..lol! I told him Wado stances are 'High Stances' thats 'Traditional for my style' isn't this a 'traditional forms division'lol! he said yeah but we look for low stances and lots of yelling..lol! I just laughed and walked away..

[blackbeltb584]

yes, I see kids (underbelts) doing black belt forms all the time, its disrespectful.

Katie