Karate competition

[mazzybear]

So I went in for my first kumite competion on Sunday, it was a national event for the association. I came away with a 2nd place......... BUT there were only 2 in my section, female 35+, 4th Kyu-Dan grades, open weight. There was an over 35, 9th-4th Kyu section with only 3 in it, should the two have been merged? I kind of feel that if I'm going to get beat in the first round, I'd rather have the opportunity to fight for 3rd place with the repachange system, than get beat once and still come away with 2nd. I explained this to my instructor, who was already going off his head that this competition was organised, as there was already a national kumite event in March, he thinks the nationals should be a once a year event, and that this was just a money spinning stunt aimed at folk looking for another competition stamp towards their black belt. He told me that 2nd place is 2nd place whether i got beat or not, that it was not my fault there were not enough folk in the category. He was angry, not with me but at the fact that one of his students feels that they were not deserving of a 2nd place through no fault of their own.

I would like to hear your thoughts on this, would you feel the same as me or are you in agreement with my instructor that 2nd is 2nd regardless of the circumstances?

Mo.

[Nidan Melbourne]

They are two different competitions. As it would be unfair to those who are 9th-5th kyu to fight someone who is much higher than they are.

Does your organisation organise each division into weight categories or is it just rank based?

Even though there were only 2 in your division, it is still fine and at least guaranteed you a medal. So it is still fine regardless.

Even if it was only 1 bout you should be happy. Often it will be the case.

[mazzybear]

Each division is weight and rank based up to the 35+ category, then it is "open" in all senses including style as it opens up to all members of the SKGB (Scottish Karate Governing Body) not just SKF (Scottish Karate Federation) I don't want to appear ungrateful, because, as you say it's a guaranteed medal, it's more I'm just a little deflated by it. If nothing else it gave me much needed experience on the kumite side of competition, as it's all been kata up until now.

Mo.

[Hawkmoon]

Rank and weight based 'divisions' is always (to me anyway) gonna be a little difficult to square away with many people, I include myself in that group!!

My son used to fight based on his age but fights now by his grade.

Now he could face 1st kyus as well as 4 Kyus as he is a higher grade himself (3rd kyu), low grade 5 and below fight amongst themselves.

When he fought when they defined by age, he used to fight tall kids, and likewise he could be considered the tall kid when he fought, so power concerns, reach and so on tended to 'pop up' when a bout finished and the result was not what was expected.

(Hence the change to grade over age, I guess)

For myself when I fight I'm defined in two ways, weight and experience.

Light, middle, heavy & Novice or Open

(My age is not considered, although you can see they do look long at hard at me on the mat when I walk out ... hehe!

My next tournament is my last novice bout, after this one I become an open fighter, now as then I am a middle weight.)

If this was defined in age I'd always have a title of some sort as the only older fighter!!

[sensei8]

Yeah...2nd place is 2nd place, no matter the circumstances surrounding it. The experience of the tournament, to me, outweighs the outcome, imho.

[AdamKralic]

First of all congrats. Merely entering a tournament is proof of one overcoming a natural fear that all humans share. That is the important part.

I also understand your feelings as well as a year or so back my son took 2nd in a two man competition. He got smoked too. 5 - 0. There was a call or two that was kinda shaky...but the other kid was better so that does not matter. The 2nd place trophy at this tournament was huge. His biggest trophy by far. He did not feel joy in receiving it. I did not try to change his mind on it as I feel the same. It's a giant reminder of a loss. BUT...not in a gazillion years would I not have wanted my son to have experienced everything about that day.

It takes courage to get there. You trained to be there. Not every day...will be your day. But every day is leading up to the day that will be yours.

[mazzybear]

Thanks for the kind replies guys. Now I've had some time to reflect on it, I am definetely looking at it as experience gained, whether I won or not, the experience was invaluable. And yes, one day, it will be my day and Sunday marked the beginning of it.

Mo.

[Hawkmoon]

opps yes, meant to add a 'well done' to my other post. Really sorry I was meant to be in a meeting and was a little rushed, sorry!

Yes, well done!

Any contest entered is a win the moment you walk out!

Look to the crowd, many do that same thing as you and are watching, not competing, you are out there actually doing it!

Well done!

That is and always will be a plus to you, enjoy!

Welcome to combat!

Osu!

[sensei8]

Yes, by all means, well done, above all things, well done!!

[Hawkmoon]

mazzybear, all,

Thought you might be interested to see, watch another event from a different system !

Just found out the dates for this.

2015 Scottish Open Knockdown, Saturday February 21st, in Glasgow.