Full contact tourney
Hey guys, I recently had the chance to enter my first full contact karate tournament. It was a Kyokushin tournament in Newton (surrey). I have been training in a style of karate very simular to Kyokushin called Yoshukai for about a year now. The tournament was a lot of fun and a good experience. I was not expecting much of myself on the day because due to school and such I did not have much of a chance to train for the tourney (in the month preceding I think I attended about three classes) and also because it was my first tournament. I have video posted at youtube and on my myspace page. It does not look to pretty, I was quite nervous and I dont think I used much skill, pretty much just went in there swinging. I ended up gassing and got caught by two high kicks, which in this tournament (being a colored belt tournament) was an automatic loss. As I said earlier I was not expecting much but it still sucked to lose, but in the end it was a learning experience. I remember a thread awhile back about whether or not competing helps prepare for self defence and although I dont want to open that can of worms again I feel this has given me a new perspective. I still feel that the techniques you use in a tournament, you would not use on the street (especially a tournament like this were you are not allowed to punch to the head, kicks but no punches), but I think the mind conditioning and body conditioning are very usefull (not to mention things such as timing, distance, stamina, etc. but I leave those for another day). First by body conditioning I simply mean conditioning the body to take a hit, because not even the best martial artist in the world can block everything. By mind conditioning I mean two things, the first it tied to the body conditioning, when you take a hit, it is easy to mentally let that effect you or stun you and then things go down hill from there. Secondly and I think more importantly is the fact that I was pretty nervous and did not use one tenth the techniques that I know and have practiced. I know that if I can train my mental conditioning to not get so nervous and stay more calm I will do a hundred times better in competing and self defence. I have heard someone say before that it is hard to see this if you have never experienced it and now that I have I can say I completly agree. No I know that there are other ways to train that mental conditioning but after being in the tournament I believe that it cross trained with other ways would be one of the best. Now I am not saying that you all have to go out and start training full contact and entering tournaments, you have to find what works for you and your training but dont discredit those of us that do find it works. Thanks Swollenknuck http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjtqiJr40NQ

Cool! I'm sure the next tournament you'll notice a huge improvement. Good job! I remember doing tournaments when I was younger in tae kwon do. Nervousness and uncertainty set in, especially with the first couple of tournaments.

Hey Swollenknuck, Congrats on making the step into tournaments. I agree with your insights on the benefits of full contact training when applied to self defence (cross training). I have experienced the same effects with my new training as well. Kudos.

Hello SwollenKnuc, Congrats on your participation! You looked good out there. You posted, “I think the mind conditioning and body conditioning are very usefull”. I’m pleased that you did well and for the record, you looked aggressive, balanced and tough. Lotsa punches and no backup! Again, Well Done! Regards, MrE2Me2

Thanks Guys, I appreciate it lots. There may be another tournament coming up in may I might consider entering. I training now to run the times colunist 10km run which happens at the end of april so the timing would work out perfect. Other than that I will just have to train hard to be better prepared. On the note of training for a tournament or for that matter a self defence situation, what sort of training drills do you guys like to get you ready mentally for the match. Thanks Swollenknuck

Hello SwollenKnuc, You posted, “…what sort of training drills do you guys like to get you ready mentally for the match.” Well, I’d divide my training into two separate sets of activities. Three areas of fitness; Given the level of contact to the torso, strength training is a must. Also, cardio would help with being gassed and flexibility training will help with kicking high. (Even a 30 minute regimen of this every other day would help.) Training for martial arts would be both defensive and offensive in nature. I’d include blocks for kicks to the head and shuffling in a circle or side ways. Also, because you are already used to hitting, practice for speed. Kick and punch at a hanging piece of string or a candle. This will improve your distancing as well. These physical activities would help with confidence in being able to hit as well as be hit. Regards, MrE2Me2

tournaments
i recentlly entered the manitoba open martial arts tournament in winnipreg having not competed in a tournament since i was 15(in tkd)and not having formally trained in tkf since 1996 i was a little uneasy. my new master dante solomon alambra was very encouraging so when i decidedto enter the tournament that morning i was a little nervous. i had to enter as an independant since i was un ranked with sikkaran arnis, so i entered as an independant brown belt as tkf as my style. we were allowed to punch to the face in this tournament just no contact. i ended up placing third i would have had silver for sure or possibly gold but i was disqualified because i drew blood (hidden distance/vertical punch to the nose)needless to say he moved on even though i had beat him on pionts(hate those technincalities)and the he lost his next fight since he was still wobbly. the hardest adjustment was no low kicks(especially stiff swinging kick) but i was impressed by the solid traing that i received in tkf and will definately compete again. devils hook was an instant sucess, and i found that most high kickers had a hard time dealing with hand combinations,crowding and jamming. i remember sparring mr.stowkowski back in the day he would take off his glasses then squint and crowd me out and chase me all over i hated it but boy could he pummel me when he got that close and there was no relenting, i might be a little hesitant to crowd a grappler but boy does it work good against kickers. anyways it was lots of fun. i didn't place on my forms(i did kempo 1,2,3) but then i hadn't practiced them in a couple of months(i'm in the middle of learning sikkaran/arnis) but they were well received and i got a large number of compliments on the form i beleive this had to do more with the form itself than my exicution of it. finally mre2 me2 i am sorry for my old rants i value and appreciate your imput and since i gave a public lashing i owe you a public appoligy sorry, anyways struggle and emerge :oops:

Hello Shannon Harrington, We are cool! I think all forum members should be allowed to speak their minds. If one goes too far, it would be dealt with appropriately. I’m pleased that you did so well at your tournament. I am a strong believer in Moh basics and forms. Your high placing reaffirms this. After all, a strong practitioner + a strong art = a strong standing. Regards, MrE2Me2

Congrats on competing in the tournaments. Well done. Just wondering if anyone has competed in a real full contact tourney where it is highly encouraged that you knock out or submit your opponent?