<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Danger Dave:
Fadingbreed40:
"you see very few TKD stylists at Open Tourniments, as they do not fare well"
Ummmm, what kind of open tournaments? Most of your point-fighting "open" tournaments (e.g. Battle of Atlanta, US Open, Diamond Nationals, etc.) are dominated by eclectic "American Karate" tournament styles, which are almost all TKD ripoffs. I've seen schools that focused so much on tournaments that they didn't even teach how to get out of a simple choke hold. Teaching stuff like that takes time away from practicing "tournament-winning" techniques, like the "open your fingers and let your glove slip out just a bit so you can have a little extra reach and score" backfist.
I fought in a few open tournaments and I can tell you, there are competitors and there are fighters. I've been beaten by people who didn't have the power to stun a fly, but they were quick and could touch you with a glove. Then, I've beaten people I would hate to know I had to fight for real. Last but rarest are those who can fight and compete - They're hard to find, but they're out there, too. Winning tournaments is winning tournaments, nothing more.
I won't even talk about cheating, or favoritism by judges, except to say it happens.
I haven't seen too many Japanese or Okinawan stylists at TKD tournaments, either. Most of them can't kick well enough to compete in a tournament that emphasizes fast, powerful kicks above the waist. The typical complaints I hear are that Japanese/Okinawan stylists can't kick, and TKD stylists can't punch. I think there's some merit to both statements, but generalizations can get you in trouble - I've seen Japanese stylists that can kick very, very well, and TKD stylists that were exceptionally powerful and fast with their hands. It depends on individual ability/preferences and the quality of instruction they received.
Dangerous Dave,
Let me begin by saying that if I have offended anyone, that was not my intention. My tournament experience and observations was "cut off" during 1995. I still stand by what I experienced and what I was exposed to during my competing years. I will have to agree with you concerning what goes on in tournaments. The ethics, or the lack thereoff, politics, "techniques" and favoritism is awful. In addition, it just wasn't realistic. I had my share of wins, but it just wasn't satisfying. After I made my Black Belt, I gave up the tournament scene as I could not, with a good concience, be apart of what was going on. General statements can get one in trouble and I will specifically say that concerning styles and competitors that there are many, many variables, exceptions and so forth. I was taught a few "tournament techniques" but they were clearly taught with the warning that these very techniques (the majority of them) will get your clock cleaned in the streets. I have been blessed with a traditional sensei whose teaching methods were so hard that most never made it to the point of being able to test for 1st Dan. I was his 17th Black Belt in his (at the time) 24 years of teaching. My sensei, too, believed in being multi faceted and believed in the grappling arts as well. Although we were strictly tested in our art for advancement in our style. My sensei, for example, do not teach children due to the teachning methods our style uses. Saying that, my son was enrolled in a reputable TKD school where plenty of children were being taught. During that time he was attending middle school with an extremely tough reputation due to the surrounding "under privileged" neighborhoods. My son was always taught not to fight and to walk away if possible. That, unfortunately, did not always work at his school. He repeatly and on a routine basis got his clock cleaned dispite his advancements in TKD. I starting working with him and after having talked with my sensei, he was enrolled in my dojo. After awhile, (in only self defense) he began cleaning clocks so well, the school became weary of him and expressed to me that he was capable beyond his years. Maybe we were just lucky. We did not produce a bully, in fact if he can "walk" he will at a drop of a dime-he rather be your freind. He like I, don't believe in fighting. Anyway, I do not actively participate anymore as I am disabled and don't get out much. Again, my intention was not to offend anyone (and I probably did not). I was sharing what I learned based on my exposure. There always have been exceptions.
Take care, Robert
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