We all know that karate is Budo and the art and sport at the same time. However, what to choose for the young generation: participate in countless competitions or to train for yourself? This question is likely sooner or later to many parents.
Today we will try to resolve this dispute and to answer the question whether it was necessary to chase the sports titles, or all the time to devote to self-improvement.
As a rule, for young athletes this choice is made by their parents. And often it’s either a race for titles and endless competitions or complete rejection of them, justifying this as “a significant injury to competition”.

What gives us the competition? The competition is school competition that teaches your child to win. To win first place himself, his fears and difficulties. For the body this kind of “useful stress”, because, having overcome their fear of all these competitive officialdom, the child learns in life to do the same. What to do if the child is afraid and does not want anything to participate? First you need to find out the cause of these fears, to talk to the coach. As an option an offer to take part “just to try” and then decide for themselves whether to go this way further. If the child himself has a desire, then surely it should be supported, but remember the balance. An excessive amount of competition, especially the wins in them can lead to bluster and exaltation above others, that is not very useful. Many parents, for some reason ignore this fact neglect them, or Vice versa. Competitions are necessary and important, even though, because karate is a contact martial art.

In short, competition is a kind of cure for fear, and as with any medication, it should be dosed.

Also, don’t forget about the practical benefits of karate. Karate is a fighting system focused on self-defence, and therefore this system should have a practical application. Competition – the opportunity to test his karate in “field” conditions. Yes, on a tatami, there are strict rules (to avoid injury), yet you fight against a totally unknown opponent, learn to make decisions, develop tactics. But the experience is priceless.

Learn karate, because it can be regarded as the sword that is always with You, and Your skill is it sharp. And, even if You never need, he will always be with You.