When researching this piece I was shocked to find a two-sided viewpoint of the Importance of competition within sport i.e. supporters of the theory and ‘non’ supporters. As a practising 48-year-old Martial artist and sports coach I thought it would be good to write a blog on the subject.
Having been into Martial arts for most of my life and describing myself as a competitive, fit and active individual, I just assumed that ‘everyone’ agreed that competition within sports was important and part of the development process. Mainly as it has been the sole purpose for my self-improvement and longevity thus far!
When taking a look at ‘Martial Arts training’ specifically, I made comparisons to ‘Sports’ practice and could see multiple similarities. Martial artists train like athletes, using similar techniques to develop speed and power etc. The Olympics holds Boxing, Taekwondo and Judo, whereas the winners of these competitions are awarded medals.
In my world, it is argued that a ‘true’ Martial art is not a sport and that competition does not necessarily define the sole practice or function of a ‘Martial artist’ contrary to popular belief.
Fighters and Martial artists are commonly seen as two different entities. Taking this further- practitioners of ‘pure’ Self-defence combat schools believe they are neither ‘Martial artists’ nor ‘Sports fighters’. In training, they will practice drilling ‘live’ techniques, sharpening and developing skills for real-life situations. Their aim is ultimately survival, using what is most effective. Fundamentally-this is competition in its rawest format where winners live and losers die.
As we go back in time to the era of the ancient Greeks around 648 BC, ‘Pankration’ was introduced as a fighting sport with barely any rules, its combatants used boxing, wrestling, kicking, punching, locks and chokes on the ground.
It is said that ‘Dioxippus’, an Athenian Pankration fighting champion of ‘Alexander the Great used his skills to subdue an equally dangerous (and armed) Soldier called ‘Coragus’ when challenged without killing him.
Modern-day styles and traditional Martial Arts practitioners use live training that could be defined as competition. Two combatants fighting with their style, arsenal of techniques and experience, are doing so as a ‘test’ to prove if their skill sets work and are viable.
Further Tests or Grading exams are also conducted widely across the Martial arts community in different formats. To gain a higher grade than a team member reflects status shows experience level and possesses a competitive spirit about it. Much in the same way that students in school curriculums up and down the country do.
From my own experience, my very first competition was held in East London in the early 1980s, at a Judo Kumite. I was around eight years old and didn’t have a clue what was going on. My Club asked my father if I was up for it- so he promptly put me forward to compete without discussing it with me.
On a rainy Saturday Morning, without prior notice of what we were doing, we drove to Walthamstow with him telling me we are going Judo and that it will be like usual training at the dojo. I suspect his lack of information was deliberate- in a bid to curb any nerves he thought I might get. It worked – I had none and just assumed it was like any normal training session.
That was the problem. I had no ‘engagement’ with the process. This is a key point to writing the piece which unravels later in this blog.
“It’s just like training”.
Normal drilling techniques in a lesson outside of competition have the purpose to train two combatants either in throwing- or being thrown. Each taking in turn- learning at a steady pace.
As a naïve eight-year-old boy- I listened to my father and followed his advice comparing this new competition ‘thing’ to normal lessons. “It’s just like training”.
So without knowing the consequence, I promptly allowed my opponent to throw me to the ground to score perfect ‘ippon’ thus immediately losing the bout.
Not exactly a competition.
Puzzled the referees looked on and laughed.
My Dad (frustrated somewhat) and I turned around and drove home. I couldn’t work out what the fuss was all about. He asked why I didn’t fight back. The process of Competition was at the time beyond me. I had no understanding.
This was good because of a lesson learnt in hindsight much further down the line, enabling me to write this article and reflect upon it later on in life. My performance was not so great of course for the club’s results at the competition. Was my understanding of what was going on a reflection of the club’s teaching? I don’t blame them, but I do teach awareness in the club for obvious reasons so actually, I am grateful.
Damaged, feelings of loss, self-entitlement and ego were not even in question.
From this, I began to understand that it is only a competition if the ‘competitor’ is fully involved.
Perhaps my experience in this instance could be seen as ‘unbalanced’ in competition terms, which is another popular belief of those against the competition. After all one used skills to fight and the other (I) did not. My perception, however, didn’t even place me in danger so no harm is done, nor was I ever in danger of becoming a victim in fighting terms.
Loosing is more beneficial than winning.
Many of the ‘Against’ competition camps believe that ‘Co-operation’ is the key skill to learn. In my story, I cooperated in my attacker’s will to throw me and rapidly lost the fight. I was not engaged in the situation nor had a competitive mindset either- perhaps if I was, there would have been a very different outcome.
Perhaps competitions should be set with boundaries that are comparable to life lessons. Loosing is more beneficial than winning after all.
In a real ‘Live’ self-defence scenario- bad timing of ‘cooperation to this degree is dangerous and very harmful. Imagine my story taking place outside in the street- cooperation breaking down-then completely unaware of the danger than being thrown to the concrete and being ‘choked out’ unable to defend?
How does an Innocent person, without ‘consequence-based’ competitive training experience- recognise when the use of cooperation ends?
So clearly there is a defined timeline to use ‘Co-Operation’ before things can get out of hand. But what happens after this point where negotiations and cooperation run out? No doubt Martial arts clubs up and down the country and indeed around the world will be teaching the ethics of Fighting as a ‘last resort. But let me ask this:
How does an Innocent person, without ‘consequence-based’ competitive training experience recognise when the use of Co-Operation ends?
It’s not a simple cut-and-shut case with no recognised beginning and end. Certainly, there is no one boxing glove fits all type of scenario when it comes to competing or cooperation, that’s a fact. Relying on Cooperation alone without competitive training sounds like a dangerous set of circumstances to me and akin to being thrown to the wolves!
This scenario is a common theme in modern-day news stories around the world where, unfortunately, the innocent lives of many are torn apart believing that cooperative words will protect them.
At least a practitioner of scenario-based training in a competitive Martial arts environment will be engaged and situationally more aware than one that does not.
I would put to the case, that one with experience in ‘cooperation’ and ‘competitive’ combat stands a far higher chance of survival in a lethal situation. Even in the case where an experienced competitive fighter has no ‘cooperation edge’ or even the chance to negotiate, he or she stands a greater chance of extended life.
Like ‘Dioxippus’ with his use of ‘Pankration’, enduring his ordeal by subduing his enemy without lethal force.
Perhaps this is a more realistic viewpoint of Cooperation?
In the same camp, it is said, that if one child wins in competition- the ‘other’ does not, thus stating one is at a loss. If competition is ‘arranged’ the correct way, a valuable lesson is to be gained from a loss and should be viewed as extremely rewarding. A point often missed, not addressed or utilised productively.
Be aware of those only interested in results. Its narrow focus has dangerous boundaries.
Top-level professional sportspeople competing on a higher stage are not necessarily ones to be compared with- although, in reality, they probably started on the same stages that I discuss here.
Unbalanced competitions, held with the intent of solely streamlining the careers of gifted competitors alone are what I believe are fuelling the ‘Anti-competition’ camps (and I somewhat agree with, when putting my Cooperation hat on)! This is something I see within local High schools, where teachers only work with the elite students and miss the time required for result-deficient children.
That is a real shame- as they require more in terms of coaching. Be aware of those only interested in results. Its narrow focus has dangerous boundaries.
These are attributes of a competitor.
Speaking from recent experience, my son was kicked out of mainstream school and left for a specialist behavioural school to carry on where they left him. The new school just as bad as the mainstream did little to help his cause. They said he wouldn’t get into college, they wouldn’t discuss his options with us and left him with the other kids destined for a life that’s unfortunately likely to lead to prison.
He tells me that Martial arts skills and abilities helped. He stated everything has a Martial arts meaning and context. As a competitor within our club, he inspires the younger generation to compete to benefit from the same benefits.
Despite the news, he got into college and passed his missing GCSEs. As a side note has been awarded ‘A’ with distinction and now has University options to play with if he chooses. Options he wouldn’t have without a competitive- ‘don’t give up’ spirit. He found the drive and determination. He put the work in. He succeeded.
These are attributes of a competitor.
New and important skills can be learnt, enabling the student to prepare in different ways for real life and competition. An Inquisitive mindset can be employed to research with others or independently for self-improvement. Learning to work with others can be a key to success in building confidence, Fitness and Mental Health amongst other things.
My question is- are the benefits gained in Martial arts competitions transferable to life? The answer is ‘Yes’- of course, they are.
So why is the ‘competitive spirit’ point missed?
Mums and Dads that bring their children into my Martial arts classes are normally settled into two camps. Fighters and Trainers.
Often (Like in the case of my Dad) a new hobby is started, without conversing about if they want to get out of it or stick with it.
Whilst giving children too much choice is another subject, which I will reserve for another blog at another time, I think it’s important to reinforce the framework that is drilled within the walls of our club to get the full engagement that’s truly beneficial.
Competition is great for so many reasons, giving those engaged in it a multitude of benefits. Those that compete, do so for a win or a loss, strengthening their Martial arts skills. They become better on so many levels, thus advancing at a faster learning pace through our belt grade system.
Naturally, the club loves the winning result. But you do not gain without pain in some way- so Loosing is just as important.
Without student engagement, it’s fair to say it could be a risky business.
I have many students who do not compete but still test their skill sets in grades.
The Mum of a particular ‘Future Black Belt’ is sure that her child does not want to compete, I am not so sure, however, I run with the parent’s wishes and respect that competing is off the cards. Academically speaking she is extremely bright and will exceed in anything she puts her mind to I guarantee- ‘fuelled’ of course by what is clear to see a ‘Competitive spirit’ underpinned by my club. Fast forward 18 months to the date when this was written the student just won her first 3-man Interclub competition.
Compare the mindset before and after.
Restarting Martial Arts in my mid-twenties was an absolute life-changing commitment
I was a less academically focused, physically challenged podgy student that grew to understand from a very young age to stand up for myself. Bullied in school and from a ‘divorced’ home things, at one point were as difficult as they can get.
I had to stand and fight my way through many of life’s setbacks and challenges. Easily led I was always getting into all sorts of situations.
Starting Martial Arts in my twenties was an absolute life-changing commitment.
Did you read that?
It’s a commitment that you must engage in and allow to develop like a tea bag in hot water.
Realistically you cannot tap into Martial Arts ‘true’ potential until you have learnt to sacrifice and respect others- much in the way, students do when sparring or going into a competition. I have learnt to commit to people with my time and devotion, the rewards I promise, are on another level.
Training at our club is not just about learning a Technique or two from a syllabus and learning to process of fighting. It’s so much more than that.
Our saying is ‘Developing champions for life’ and whilst I still breathe and run the club- that’s what I am doing.
If you want the chance to train in Martial Arts please contact me at 07391 123925 or email tmkabroughton@gmail.com
