Why participate in tournaments?
This week, our school is closing on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, so that our leadership team can participate in a 3-day tournament event this weekend. On Thursday, we’ll be attending Judging and Coaching seminars alongside other Colorado NMAA schools, where we will learn important skills and refresh our knowledge of tournament rules under the direction and teaching of Senior Master Durant. Friday will be an evening event, showcasing the elevated and inventive competitions, as well as all of the team sparring brackets. On Saturday morning, we’ll begin the regular competition, with possibly the largest number of competitors in a single tournament, outside of the annual World Tournament. Predictions have been between 400-500 competitors!
So why do we care about tournaments?
When we begin martial arts, there is much to learn. We are immersed in a new world, full of techniques, forms to memorize, and drills that challenge us to build strength and proper movements and body positioning. We may be enrolled in a class of students who are at varying stops along their journeys, progressing in knowledge and skill, and earning new colors of belts to mark progress. We make friends and we are excited to share new milestones with our peers and instructors.
Tournaments are a way to take your martial arts to an even higher level.
In a tournament, Dragons, Karate Kids, Teens, and Adults of every rank are assigned to rings of similar ages and levels. They are given an opportunity to meet others who are interested and invested in the world of Taekwondo, and are able to make connections, see their progress in relationship to others, have fun competing, and be connected in a new way to the larger NMAA organization and its leaders. Chief Master Horn and Master Horn can be found there to interact with students, often signing belts and medals and inspiring them to reach their goals and dreams. Black belts of every rank will showcase talent and cheer on competitors, alongside other students, parents, and family members. Our very own school owner, Nick Wolf, is also there, running the tournament as the STO, or State Tournament Organizer. It’s pretty awesome to be a part of such an event. We’ve even outgrown our last Colorado tournament facility and are moving to a bigger one this weekend!
If you have never been to a tournament and are interested, grab a spectator pass online and come check it out! You can cheer on your classmates and get a feel for how a tournament is run. If you are interested in competing, sign up online and come see what the fuss is all about! We are confident that you will enjoy the experience.
As always, let us know if you have any questions…and we hope to see you there!