Should I Compete in Competition as a Traditionalist?
Should I Compete in Competition as a Traditionalist?
My immediate ‘knee-jerk’ response to this (mainly due to the observed bad attitude & discipline demonstrated from students & instructors alike, associated with ’sport-karate’) would obviously be a big fat NO!
However, 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 our own ‘traditional’ 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. Competition is considered ‘extra-curricular’, it’s a choice, and has always ever been even from its earliest evolution. Additionally, we should not consider tournament as the 'be-all & end-all' of Wado Karate; especially these days with so many restrictions on ‘sport-karate’ competition requirements.
As already stated; if you choose to attend competition this should only form part of your Wado training; so may 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. However, most importantly, attending ‘Wado Only’ events would be the only events to consider, so as not to violate the ’pureness’ of our Wadoryu technique with negative outside influences.
'Sport-Wado' & 'Sport-Karate' Competitions. If we trained in Wadoryu solely for competition, especially in ‘all-styles’ sparring events, much of our Wado techniques would have to be changed to suit the competition ideology, or even removed altogether as they would be banned in competition. In British Wadokai Jiyu-Gumite (free-fighting) we are using ALL of our traditional Wado techniques available to us; something we would be unable to do in the ‘outside’ competition circuit. Our historic Kata would have to be drastically changed to suit the various requirements, in order to look ‘aesthetically pleasing and pretty’ to the judges to win medals; and as such would not reflect the true essence of the Wadoryu application (understanding correct Wado technique within the kata is more important for self preservation rather than thinking about how nice it looks) - From my own personal observations, incorrect interpretations, heavy breathing, angry faces, over-emphasised & mistimed [elongated] kiai-ing, and lots of chest slapping, etc. Wado Kata should be done with inibuki and 'correct' metsuke. The Kiai should be at the initial timing of the technique, not lingering loudly at the end, etc. As Sensei Ohtsuka often said, "Wado is not like other styles...!" I agree, and for me personally I don't want to be like other styles, which is why I chose, and choose, Wadoryu them all.
Many British Wadokai Clubs, including my own, train regularly in Jiyu-gumite (sparring) and Goshin-jutsu (self-defence) training. In fact about 25% of my own club practise is taken up with free-sparring, self-defence training & fighting EVERY SESSION. And when I say ‘free-sparring’, this includes empi-uchi (elbow strikes) and hiza-geri (knee kicking), wrist-locks and take-downs. For those of you who train with me in Goju-ittai training, for example, will understand where this comes from. Self-defence practices includes bottle, baton and knife attacks and defence skills. Additionally, all our Kata are taught with the correct Wado application, etc. How many Wado clubs spend a whole training session on pressure-point striking and practise? How many clubs spend time on chokes, knock-outs, strangles and dislocations? When one of my students strikes an opponent, he’s not concerned about how many points he gets, but how much injury he can sustain with his techniques upon his opponent (focusing through not AT the opponent).
We do our Wado for self-defence and self-improvement not for ego, tokens or trinkets. I have had three very serious [successful] 'street encounters' in the past, including one against an assailant with a knife, I defended myself very effectively in every encounter, however, I don't have any gold medals to prove I can achieve this.
Remember, karate was originally created as a ‘fighting-art’ primarily for self-preservation. Dojo free-fighting is potentially a good practise for this, although to many 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 their fighting challenges, abilities and skills in a pressurised ‘win or lose’ situation; both mentally and physically. However, it is 'restrictive', so to be able to take full advantage of the full repertoire of our techniques can be challenging, and can risk disqualification, etc. Competition and traditional Dojo Jiyu-Gumite do not mix. In the street we would not need to consider a competition environment or being disqualified.
British Wadokai occasionally organise ‘closed’ competition events, and because of this they are well-disciplined and suitable for all British Wadokai members. The kumite is not as restrictive as ’sport-karate’, so will include all the techniques reflected in normal Dojo Jiyu Gumite. There are categories for age and sex, with wider grade requirements. Kata are compared within the correct requirements of their historic foundations and not ‘modified’ in any way to look pretty (or look like other styles, such as Shotokan, etc.). If it is a correctly performed British Wadokai Kata it will be marked accordingly. Categories for Kata are made up of grade, and does not discriminate sex or age.
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 karate-sport competitions; we leave that decision and choice to our own members. Why should the majority feed money to the minority, who may want to choose a different path to our own; in their own pursuit of glory and ego?
Gary E Swift (8th Dan) Kyoshi. May 2012.
My immediate ‘knee-jerk’ response to this (mainly due to the observed bad attitude & discipline demonstrated from students & instructors alike, associated with ’sport-karate’) would obviously be a big fat NO!
However, 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 our own ‘traditional’ 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. Competition is considered ‘extra-curricular’, it’s a choice, and has always ever been even from its earliest evolution. Additionally, we should not consider tournament as the 'be-all & end-all' of Wado Karate; especially these days with so many restrictions on ‘sport-karate’ competition requirements.
As already stated; if you choose to attend competition this should only form part of your Wado training; so may 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. However, most importantly, attending ‘Wado Only’ events would be the only events to consider, so as not to violate the ’pureness’ of our Wadoryu technique with negative outside influences.
'Sport-Wado' & 'Sport-Karate' Competitions. If we trained in Wadoryu solely for competition, especially in ‘all-styles’ sparring events, much of our Wado techniques would have to be changed to suit the competition ideology, or even removed altogether as they would be banned in competition. In British Wadokai Jiyu-Gumite (free-fighting) we are using ALL of our traditional Wado techniques available to us; something we would be unable to do in the ‘outside’ competition circuit. Our historic Kata would have to be drastically changed to suit the various requirements, in order to look ‘aesthetically pleasing and pretty’ to the judges to win medals; and as such would not reflect the true essence of the Wadoryu application (understanding correct Wado technique within the kata is more important for self preservation rather than thinking about how nice it looks) - From my own personal observations, incorrect interpretations, heavy breathing, angry faces, over-emphasised & mistimed [elongated] kiai-ing, and lots of chest slapping, etc. Wado Kata should be done with inibuki and 'correct' metsuke. The Kiai should be at the initial timing of the technique, not lingering loudly at the end, etc. As Sensei Ohtsuka often said, "Wado is not like other styles...!" I agree, and for me personally I don't want to be like other styles, which is why I chose, and choose, Wadoryu them all.
Many British Wadokai Clubs, including my own, train regularly in Jiyu-gumite (sparring) and Goshin-jutsu (self-defence) training. In fact about 25% of my own club practise is taken up with free-sparring, self-defence training & fighting EVERY SESSION. And when I say ‘free-sparring’, this includes empi-uchi (elbow strikes) and hiza-geri (knee kicking), wrist-locks and take-downs. For those of you who train with me in Goju-ittai training, for example, will understand where this comes from. Self-defence practices includes bottle, baton and knife attacks and defence skills. Additionally, all our Kata are taught with the correct Wado application, etc. How many Wado clubs spend a whole training session on pressure-point striking and practise? How many clubs spend time on chokes, knock-outs, strangles and dislocations? When one of my students strikes an opponent, he’s not concerned about how many points he gets, but how much injury he can sustain with his techniques upon his opponent (focusing through not AT the opponent).
We do our Wado for self-defence and self-improvement not for ego, tokens or trinkets. I have had three very serious [successful] 'street encounters' in the past, including one against an assailant with a knife, I defended myself very effectively in every encounter, however, I don't have any gold medals to prove I can achieve this.
Remember, karate was originally created as a ‘fighting-art’ primarily for self-preservation. Dojo free-fighting is potentially a good practise for this, although to many 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 their fighting challenges, abilities and skills in a pressurised ‘win or lose’ situation; both mentally and physically. However, it is 'restrictive', so to be able to take full advantage of the full repertoire of our techniques can be challenging, and can risk disqualification, etc. Competition and traditional Dojo Jiyu-Gumite do not mix. In the street we would not need to consider a competition environment or being disqualified.
British Wadokai occasionally organise ‘closed’ competition events, and because of this they are well-disciplined and suitable for all British Wadokai members. The kumite is not as restrictive as ’sport-karate’, so will include all the techniques reflected in normal Dojo Jiyu Gumite. There are categories for age and sex, with wider grade requirements. Kata are compared within the correct requirements of their historic foundations and not ‘modified’ in any way to look pretty (or look like other styles, such as Shotokan, etc.). If it is a correctly performed British Wadokai Kata it will be marked accordingly. Categories for Kata are made up of grade, and does not discriminate sex or age.
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 karate-sport competitions; we leave that decision and choice to our own members. Why should the majority feed money to the minority, who may want to choose a different path to our own; in their own pursuit of glory and ego?
Gary E Swift (8th Dan) Kyoshi. May 2012.