Question 108: Is competition good? - REPLY

Reply

Nowadays, the term martial art includes anything remotely related to fighting or self-defense. People participate in martial arts for various reasons, such as self-defense, physical fitness, training in a traditional martial art, to try the latest fad, competition, etc. Some martial arts specialize in competition, such as Olympic style Taekwondo and MMA.

If a martial art specializes in completion style fighting, then competition is good for the art and the competitors. Competition is not good for a martial art that specializes in self-defense since any type of competition would water-down the art. To be effective at self-defense, one must train in self-defense techniques and at acquiring a will to do what needs to be done, not matter how distasteful. As for traditional martial arts, competition poses a dilemma. Some arts view it as helpful; some view it as harmful; and some view it as a necessary evil.

If one enjoys competition, then I see no problem with it as long as the person does not confuse competition, including MMA, with reality. Too many people think just because they are good at competition, they will be effective when attacked on the street where there are no rules. When attacked on the street, one reacts instinctively as he or she has trained. If the person has trained to fight by the rules, he or she will react by the rules. I am traditionalist; I say that to be a warrior, you must train as a warrior.