A Prospective Students Final And Deciding Question

[sensei8]

Would a prospective student that has very little or no MA experience want to be instructed by an 11 time Kata and Weapons champion OR a 5 time Kumite champion?

I know that it'll depend on what the student is looking for, but let's pretend that the above question is that prospective students final and deciding question.

[Zaine]

That's a hard question to answer if we don't consider the prospective student's wants. However, I would imagine that they would go towards the kumite champion.

[sensei8]

I'd say that we can imagine the prospective students wants in order to assist one to select one or the other. How? By weighing in your wants/needs.

I would say that most would pick the 5 time Kumite champion. Which takes a lot away from the instructor who's an 11 time Kata and Weapons champion.

I suppose it's a personal choice.

[Dobbersky]

I'd say that we can imagine the prospective students wants in order to assist one to select one or the other. How? By weighing in your wants/needs.

I would say that most would pick the 5 time Kumite champion. Which takes a lot away from the instructor who's an 11 time Kata and Weapons champion.

I suppose it's a personal choice.

What you said is predominantly correct. Most work pick the Kumite Champ, but what type of Kumite is it? If it was a Knock-down or Daido Juku champ then yes I would look to him for instruction, but

I would pick the Kata and Weapons Champ as far as I could say is that he has understood the ethos of "Shu Ha Ri" unless it is that silly Musical Kata which is just glorified Gymnastics!

[GeoGiant]

As others have said, I think most new students would gravitate to the Kumite champion however Dobbersky makes a good point.

[sensei8]

I'd say that we can imagine the prospective students wants in order to assist one to select one or the other. How? By weighing in your wants/needs.

I would say that most would pick the 5 time Kumite champion. Which takes a lot away from the instructor who's an 11 time Kata and Weapons champion.

I suppose it's a personal choice.

What you said is predominantly correct. Most work pick the Kumite Champ, but what type of Kumite is it? If it was a Knock-down or Daido Juku champ then yes I would look to him for instruction, but

I would pick the Kata and Weapons Champ as far as I could say is that he has understood the ethos of "Shu Ha Ri" unless it is that silly Musical Kata which is just glorified Gymnastics!

Solid post!!

[DWx]

I'd say most would gravitate to the Kumite champion because, being beginners, they mostly likely won't understand the significance or challenge of Kata and seeing as most probably want to learn to fight with the Karate they'll be learning, the Kumite champion would seemingly be the person to turn to.

Having said that, few people are going to pick an instructor solely based on what they've won in tournaments. Any serious student is going to be looking at all the other factors; the feel of the class, the teaching style, the ability of the higher grades in the class etc. - everything we all suggest to people who come here looking for advice on which martial art to start. Any student that does get taken in just by the trophies and medals is probably one you wouldn't necessarily want to spend all your efforts on anyway.