Post by AKSDave on Oct 22, 2009 11:11:41 GMT -5
Recently, I accompanied one of my green belt students to an out of town karate tournament. I have chosen not to identify to the tournament or the sponsoring school because of some the curious events that took place.
Historically, AKS instructors and students have not done well at this particular event. AKS competitors that often place somewhere in the top three places in other tournaments often are scored near or at the bottom here. I can testify to that from personal experience. But with the limited number of available tournaments in our area, so we decided to try again.
At the rules meeting, the tournament director explained that you had to compete at the highest rank you held. With the plethora of cross training, students will often hold rank in more than style. Seemed like a fair rule.
The Black Belt weapons went first, there were three competitors. I thought the best competitor won.
After that was completed, they opened up a square for student rank weapons, which my student was competing in. The first student did her form, then they stopped all competition to watch Black Belt empty hand forms. This kind of screwed up the scoring flow, but my guy placed.
Then they called for adult yellow/green belt forms and one of the guys that competed in Black Belt weapons lines up wearing a yellow belt! I asked the judges what was going on, they conferred with director and he was allowed to compete as a yellow belt. I was not informed of the logic of their decision.
Then, when it was time to spar the same guy is now competing in men's hvywgt yellow/green belt sparring. I didn't challenge this one as the precedent had been set. I did tell my guy to make sure he let his competitor know who he was.
Mr. Lieb would have proud of the groin shot that Black Belt/Yellow Belt caught. I am sure by his next tournament he will invest in a cup. He could have used one that day.
All things considered my guy did great, he took home one trophy. I do know he would like to compete against this fellow who has the privilege of crossing ranks. We are working hard to be ready for next time.
Hope he buys a cup.
Historically, AKS instructors and students have not done well at this particular event. AKS competitors that often place somewhere in the top three places in other tournaments often are scored near or at the bottom here. I can testify to that from personal experience. But with the limited number of available tournaments in our area, so we decided to try again.
At the rules meeting, the tournament director explained that you had to compete at the highest rank you held. With the plethora of cross training, students will often hold rank in more than style. Seemed like a fair rule.
The Black Belt weapons went first, there were three competitors. I thought the best competitor won.
After that was completed, they opened up a square for student rank weapons, which my student was competing in. The first student did her form, then they stopped all competition to watch Black Belt empty hand forms. This kind of screwed up the scoring flow, but my guy placed.
Then they called for adult yellow/green belt forms and one of the guys that competed in Black Belt weapons lines up wearing a yellow belt! I asked the judges what was going on, they conferred with director and he was allowed to compete as a yellow belt. I was not informed of the logic of their decision.
Then, when it was time to spar the same guy is now competing in men's hvywgt yellow/green belt sparring. I didn't challenge this one as the precedent had been set. I did tell my guy to make sure he let his competitor know who he was.
Mr. Lieb would have proud of the groin shot that Black Belt/Yellow Belt caught. I am sure by his next tournament he will invest in a cup. He could have used one that day.
All things considered my guy did great, he took home one trophy. I do know he would like to compete against this fellow who has the privilege of crossing ranks. We are working hard to be ready for next time.
Hope he buys a cup.
