Should I Compete in Competition as a Traditionalist?
The answer to this question is probably more based on the 'motive’ for entering the competition in the first place. Yes, Wado karate does promote and encourage competition as part of the training, but this should be purely for the progression of the individual's need for self-improvement, attainment and realisation. We should not consider tournament as the 'be-all and end-all' of Wado Karate. As already stated; competition forms only PART of our Wado training, so should be considered part of the usual trials and challenges of training and not considered the 'end-product', unlike what the 'All-Styles Sport-Karate' organisations seem to continually promote.
We do Wado for self-improvement not for ego, tokens or trinkets.
Remember, karate was originally created as a ‘fighting-art’ primarily for self-preservation. Although Dojo free-fighting is a good practise it is still part of a more relaxed and instructive environment and atmosphere between our established club members and peers; so the competition arena is probably the closest test of our fighting challenges, abilities and skills in a pressurised ‘win or lose’ situation; both mentally and physically.
This is why British Wadokai can offer free affiliation memberships, as we don't have to pay exorbitant running-costs for an expensive squad or for excursions and entry-fees into competitions; we leave that decision and choice to our members.
Why should the majority feed money to the minority, who may want to choose a different path to our own, in their pursuit of glory and ego?
Gary E Swift (8th Dan) Kyoshi. May 2012.
We do Wado for self-improvement not for ego, tokens or trinkets.
Remember, karate was originally created as a ‘fighting-art’ primarily for self-preservation. Although Dojo free-fighting is a good practise it is still part of a more relaxed and instructive environment and atmosphere between our established club members and peers; so the competition arena is probably the closest test of our fighting challenges, abilities and skills in a pressurised ‘win or lose’ situation; both mentally and physically.
This is why British Wadokai can offer free affiliation memberships, as we don't have to pay exorbitant running-costs for an expensive squad or for excursions and entry-fees into competitions; we leave that decision and choice to our members.
Why should the majority feed money to the minority, who may want to choose a different path to our own, in their pursuit of glory and ego?
Gary E Swift (8th Dan) Kyoshi. May 2012.
