I'm on the fence on whether or not there is a place for sport martial arts -- any martial art. The sport rules themselves promote habits which can be a liability in a real self-defense situation. The result is just a game, not a martial art. I hope someone can change my mind.
From my own experience, I've always seen the Japanese with whom I trained have a perfect understanding of what sport is: a game where you have to win by following certain rules.
It was quite confusing for me at first because I saw very talented sensei losing in competition and not seeming to make a big deal out of it.
Because for me, there was confusion in my mind between sport and Budō, or should I say Bujutsu. My sensei at that time in France always talked about efficiency, being able to kill with a single blow and always said that competition was the worst thing that ever happened to Karate etc....
But training in Japan totally changed my understanding, and I really understood that Japanese Karate-ka (at least in all the organizations I trained with) make no confusion between sport and Karate.
You can be a champion, that's pretty cool, but that's it. This does not reflect your understanding in Karate and the step you're at, and it does not change anything inside the Dōjo. Although it can be a great tool fort many aspects of the training and I have huge respect for people who commit themselves to becoming a champion.
And that's why I've seen some really awesome Karate-ka who have been Japanese and World champions just playing with the rules in order to win the tournament! This was so weird and confusing for me at first! For example they were voluntary going out the Shiai-jo to play with time or avoid some very strong combinations of their opponent. This was totally unacceptable to me, because I thought you had to win in a kind of samurai way that reflected the reality of a fight, otherwise it was better to lose...
Yes, I was young and fanatic, but fortunately I met great Sensei who helped me grow a little along the way!
Sorry if this is a bit of a personal comment, but your post brings back very good memories!
I kind of wish Substack would allow me to post pictures in comments. I restacked your post with the comment I wanted to make because it included a picture.
I'm on the fence on whether or not there is a place for sport martial arts -- any martial art. The sport rules themselves promote habits which can be a liability in a real self-defense situation. The result is just a game, not a martial art. I hope someone can change my mind.
Very interesting article and perspectives!
From my own experience, I've always seen the Japanese with whom I trained have a perfect understanding of what sport is: a game where you have to win by following certain rules.
It was quite confusing for me at first because I saw very talented sensei losing in competition and not seeming to make a big deal out of it.
Because for me, there was confusion in my mind between sport and Budō, or should I say Bujutsu. My sensei at that time in France always talked about efficiency, being able to kill with a single blow and always said that competition was the worst thing that ever happened to Karate etc....
But training in Japan totally changed my understanding, and I really understood that Japanese Karate-ka (at least in all the organizations I trained with) make no confusion between sport and Karate.
You can be a champion, that's pretty cool, but that's it. This does not reflect your understanding in Karate and the step you're at, and it does not change anything inside the Dōjo. Although it can be a great tool fort many aspects of the training and I have huge respect for people who commit themselves to becoming a champion.
And that's why I've seen some really awesome Karate-ka who have been Japanese and World champions just playing with the rules in order to win the tournament! This was so weird and confusing for me at first! For example they were voluntary going out the Shiai-jo to play with time or avoid some very strong combinations of their opponent. This was totally unacceptable to me, because I thought you had to win in a kind of samurai way that reflected the reality of a fight, otherwise it was better to lose...
Yes, I was young and fanatic, but fortunately I met great Sensei who helped me grow a little along the way!
Sorry if this is a bit of a personal comment, but your post brings back very good memories!
I kind of wish Substack would allow me to post pictures in comments. I restacked your post with the comment I wanted to make because it included a picture.