Well, this past Saturday (December 3rd) Seth and myself along with Pipa and Nyracat went to our fist tournament held by our "parent company". It's really wierd how we are half a McDojo and half not. We train the beginners into a regimented Karate style then once they hit Green belt, they can train under the actual instructor's style. But that's a completely different story. Anyway... Since we live on one side of the state and the tournament was on the other, we had to get up at 3am and leave town at 4 just ot be there by check in at 7. The black belts competed by 8am and were done by 10. There were only 4 of them so it went by really quick.
As this was the all-state tournament for our organization, when 11 rolled around it got insane. Wave after wave of kid. It was non stop judging in our ring. Belts and age groups per event. My ring... In charge of the same amount of groups. They were just full of more kids since the divisions had more in them.
I can say it one way or the other, just depends on which way you want to percieve it. We had about 10% of our kids show. (Not bad, but we've got 40 kids... do the math. LOL!)
My Blue belt sparred and did forms. Didn't place in the top 4 in any of his events. He was also at the top of his game in the last season since his placement, belt-wise, was the top end of the beginners. He's now at the bottom end of the intermediate group. We just continued to give him good talk and it hopefully helped keep his chin up.
Our next student down was a 1st degree Green belt. Kind of a lala land kind of kid that honestly studies the material, but isn't serious. He knows the materials, but can't focus his energies properly. Unforuately, it showed. He didn't place in his forms and other events.
We had 1 Yellow belt. She rocked her events. She came to do our strongest punch and kick competitions. She ranked 1st place in her division for punch and 3rd for kick. I was so proud.
One of the "micro kids" in my class came and took home a trophy for 3rd place in "Walking with Confidence." He presented in a very respectful and formal fashion. He represented the class (and definitely the other kids in his division that are in his class) wonderfully. And to think... He came and was about dropping a load with all of these other kids that were kia!ing and fighting. The gym was filled a ton of people and is quite intimidating for a little guy. He warmed up with the help of some great people and took home a trophy. Now how cool is that to be a 5 year old and say that you accomplished that?
Though not everyone placed, I'm proud of all the kids.
As this was the all-state tournament for our organization, when 11 rolled around it got insane. Wave after wave of kid. It was non stop judging in our ring. Belts and age groups per event. My ring... In charge of the same amount of groups. They were just full of more kids since the divisions had more in them.
I can say it one way or the other, just depends on which way you want to percieve it. We had about 10% of our kids show. (Not bad, but we've got 40 kids... do the math. LOL!)
My Blue belt sparred and did forms. Didn't place in the top 4 in any of his events. He was also at the top of his game in the last season since his placement, belt-wise, was the top end of the beginners. He's now at the bottom end of the intermediate group. We just continued to give him good talk and it hopefully helped keep his chin up.
Our next student down was a 1st degree Green belt. Kind of a lala land kind of kid that honestly studies the material, but isn't serious. He knows the materials, but can't focus his energies properly. Unforuately, it showed. He didn't place in his forms and other events.
We had 1 Yellow belt. She rocked her events. She came to do our strongest punch and kick competitions. She ranked 1st place in her division for punch and 3rd for kick. I was so proud.
One of the "micro kids" in my class came and took home a trophy for 3rd place in "Walking with Confidence." He presented in a very respectful and formal fashion. He represented the class (and definitely the other kids in his division that are in his class) wonderfully. And to think... He came and was about dropping a load with all of these other kids that were kia!ing and fighting. The gym was filled a ton of people and is quite intimidating for a little guy. He warmed up with the help of some great people and took home a trophy. Now how cool is that to be a 5 year old and say that you accomplished that?
Though not everyone placed, I'm proud of all the kids.
Needless to say... We got out of there at 7 and didn't get home till 11ish. The weather was awesome allllll day, but started to get some lake effect right when we thought it was a good idea to leave.
Some photos can be seen here.
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