I just want to thank everyone for posting their thoughts about the possibility of once again (after many, many years) getting Uechi dojo involved with sport competition.
There are many different reasons for teaching and for studying Uechi-ryu. I respect all and certainly am not saying that sport Uechi should be part of every dojo. However, I have noticed an "aging" of uechi practitioners throughout the world. Most of my SummerFest and Adult applications show an average age of 40!
Where are all those 16 - 25 year old Uechi students who used to fill our dojo? Why do I hear all kinds of excuses for not attending SummerFest and Tournaments from parents: "Oh, Johnny has a soccor match", or "Billy has a birthday party", or "Susan is playing tennis that day"?
In the "old" days, parents would tell their friends: "Johnny can't play soccor on that day... He is entering a karate tournament!"
Not any more... Karate has been reduced to being fit-in "after" all other activites and social functions!
Why?
This is not my problem, but a serious question that the younger Uechi teachers should be asking themselves. We hear all the "experts" tell us why our Uechi is pretty lame for self-defense... We hear them knock all the other reasons for studying our karate... I believe it is time to take back our pride and give our students a reason for studying.
Competitive sport karate is exciting and benefitial for our students. We should at least look at our dojo enrollment and see if there might be something we are missing in our training and emphasis.
Again... thanks to everyone who helped out Saturday with our two tournaments. See you in a couple days.
Another great Uechi tournament!
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gmattson
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I'm travelling, but
GEM
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Bill Glasheen
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Laird
You are right. As a matter of fact, I never did as well in any tournament I participated in, and yet I benefitted tremendously.
All the participants put on a tremendous show. They have no idea how much we enjoy watching them.
Stryke
I was one of a group. It takes a well-oiled machine to make one of these things work. Folks who have never done it have no idea. When it is done right though, folks like me aren't even noticed. One only sees the participants.
Even with all the hard work, there were a few hiccups. But it didn't seem to detract from what went on in the rings.
And NOBODY GOT HURT!!!! You know what that means? More will come in the future to test their mettle.
- Bill
You are right. As a matter of fact, I never did as well in any tournament I participated in, and yet I benefitted tremendously.
All the participants put on a tremendous show. They have no idea how much we enjoy watching them.
Stryke
I was one of a group. It takes a well-oiled machine to make one of these things work. Folks who have never done it have no idea. When it is done right though, folks like me aren't even noticed. One only sees the participants.
Even with all the hard work, there were a few hiccups. But it didn't seem to detract from what went on in the rings.
And NOBODY GOT HURT!!!! You know what that means? More will come in the future to test their mettle.
- Bill
Tournament
It was indeed a pleasure to have attended an excellent tournament at the Dome on Saturday.
Having these events is the cement to hold together the future for our art.
I never left Ring 3 of the Junior Tournament because there was enough of a turn out to keep us busy in the ring or judging kata.
Our experienced center refs worked hard to organize the kids, get their paper work and smoothly handle the contestants.
I noted a marked improvement in the performances of our juniors in kata, weapons and sport fighting, and you could see this in the attitude and enthusiasm of the kids!
After all is said and done, they are the future of Uechi or any other martial art.
If the teachers can inspire the kids, they will most often chose karate.
One of my daughters has two sons into karate and who compete in many events throughout New England and the older is also a hockey player.
GEM;s comments are quite correct about families chosing sports other than karate in case of conflict. In my family, the decision for karate or, some other sport can be worked out. Their solution is to print out the Krane activities, versus the hockey calendar, and agree on the priority.
My son in law is a hockey coach, and he and my daughter will work this out with the participation of the kids.
I am sorry that I missed saying hello to some of the guys and girls working the Adult Tournament, but I went away pleased with Junior Tournament and the feeling of pride in the obvious preparation, by the sensei and dojo represented by their students.
Alan K
Having these events is the cement to hold together the future for our art.
I never left Ring 3 of the Junior Tournament because there was enough of a turn out to keep us busy in the ring or judging kata.
Our experienced center refs worked hard to organize the kids, get their paper work and smoothly handle the contestants.
I noted a marked improvement in the performances of our juniors in kata, weapons and sport fighting, and you could see this in the attitude and enthusiasm of the kids!
After all is said and done, they are the future of Uechi or any other martial art.
If the teachers can inspire the kids, they will most often chose karate.
One of my daughters has two sons into karate and who compete in many events throughout New England and the older is also a hockey player.
GEM;s comments are quite correct about families chosing sports other than karate in case of conflict. In my family, the decision for karate or, some other sport can be worked out. Their solution is to print out the Krane activities, versus the hockey calendar, and agree on the priority.
My son in law is a hockey coach, and he and my daughter will work this out with the participation of the kids.
I am sorry that I missed saying hello to some of the guys and girls working the Adult Tournament, but I went away pleased with Junior Tournament and the feeling of pride in the obvious preparation, by the sensei and dojo represented by their students.
Alan K
"The Goddess of Justice is Blind"
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Bill Glasheen
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f.Channell
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Sensei, I see a lot that age in BJJ and Judo. I don't know why, ultimate fighting on TV has a lot to do with it possibly.Where are all those 16 - 25 year old Uechi students who used to fill our dojo?
I don't get this one either, my daughters would never put that stuff over a tournament. Maybe they are afraid I'd tell VanIn the "old" days, parents would tell their friends: "Johnny can't play soccor on that day... He is entering a karate tournament!"
.Bill,
I must say thanks for coming up and being there. Sounds like you put aside a lot to make it up. I really enjoyed Darrens party after the tournament. He has such a deep love for martial arts it is infectious.
Fred
Sans Peur Ne Obliviscaris
www.hinghamkarate.com
www.hinghamkarate.com
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Spike
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Re: I'm travelling, but
Most of us are lazy...i've seen it. They'd rather spend $30-50 on booze and drugs than on "karate" class. Also, some think that you are a "wuss" or "pussy" for "needing" karate to be able to defend yourself or any other altercation, so it has become un-cool. For others, it's "oh, i could never do that". Yep, it's just not the fad right now. How about some UFC?gmattson wrote:Where are all those 16 - 25 year old Uechi students who used to fill our dojo? Why do I hear all kinds of excuses for not attending SummerFest and Tournaments from parents: "Oh, Johnny has a soccor match", or "Billy has a birthday party", or "Susan is playing tennis that day"?
In the "old" days, parents would tell their friends: "Johnny can't play soccor on that day... He is entering a karate tournament!"
Not any more... Karate has been reduced to being fit-in "after" all other activites and social functions!
Why?
Richard
http://www.nskarate.tk
http://www.nskarate.tk
I would like to thank all of you who worked the tournament!!
My son was a participant and took 4th in weapons in the 12-13yo advanced division. Unfortunately he did not get the chance to spar as he got injured during kata. We had to leave and bring him to the ER. He thought he dislocated his hip. Turns out he pulled a ligament in his upper thigh. Thank God that was all. A couple of days on crutches and he's back on his feet. Unfotunatley his Black Belt test is this Sunday....time will tell.
All he does is karate. Uechi-Ryu is his thing. I don't know why soccer and baseball take presidence over a karate tournament. Good question....could it be that the others are team sports and they would be letting the team down if they did not show up? Unless you are on a competition team in karate you are there representing yourself so if you don't show up then you let nobody down but yourself. Just a thought.
My son was a participant and took 4th in weapons in the 12-13yo advanced division. Unfortunately he did not get the chance to spar as he got injured during kata. We had to leave and bring him to the ER. He thought he dislocated his hip. Turns out he pulled a ligament in his upper thigh. Thank God that was all. A couple of days on crutches and he's back on his feet. Unfotunatley his Black Belt test is this Sunday....time will tell.
All he does is karate. Uechi-Ryu is his thing. I don't know why soccer and baseball take presidence over a karate tournament. Good question....could it be that the others are team sports and they would be letting the team down if they did not show up? Unless you are on a competition team in karate you are there representing yourself so if you don't show up then you let nobody down but yourself. Just a thought.
-Michelle
