Competitions
People do not become Champions at tournaments. It happens during the hours, weeks, months and years of training
Tournaments are always optional, but if competing interests you then EMAR Dojo is the perfect place to start. Our team of professional instructors will encourage you to take part in tournaments as we train, mentor and support you on the competitive journey. Taking part in competitions is the most rewarding experience you can possibly have. Our kids and adults regularly compete locally, nationally and globally, winning over one hundred and eighty medals from various tournaments in the past seven years.
You win or you learn
We want you to become an EMAR Dojo Original and compete to become great, and possibly even fight as a professional athlete in the future (if you wish so). Many of our students have started as total beginners and become great through the same process and journey. Competing in a tournament can of course be scary, but when you find the courage to do it, we guarantee you it will be the most exciting, exhilarating and motivating experience. Tournaments give you a concrete objective that can motivate you to train harder, be more disciplined and well organised with your life. Martial arts competition is an opportunity for everyone who tries their best to succeed even if not in the way that may have been expected. Even competitors who are eliminated at early stages of tournaments, are proud of themselves and their efforts. Winning comes from more than medals and trophies. It comes from trying hard and developing skills and friendships along the way. Winning the battle with your fears and deciding to compete is more important than the actual tournament.
Competing will give you the confidence to be successful in life
It doesn’t matter if you are an overall grand champion or just about to have your first tournament, competing is great for building confidence and self-esteem. Competitors in kata divisions perform in front of a panel of judges and in front of other competitors. Sparring divisions put competitors in a match against another person.
Getting through a performance or completing a sparring match, even if not your best, makes competitors realise that they can do something difficult. It gives them a sense of accomplishment. Competing against others allows students to see what they’re truly capable of. Facing your fears by entering tournaments will help you build confidence in your abilities. Tournaments are all about integrity and sportsmanship. Regardless of the outcome from the tournament, everyone is treated with equal respect. It is not the outcome that matters the most but the efforts that you put into the journey. Competitors learn that consistent efforts in practice leads to improvement and better outcomes. This is a skill that translates to most areas of life.
Get in the best shape of your life
Martial arts competition is a great opportunity to get and stay fit. That’s because it involves consistent vigorous training sessions that include body conditioning, cardiovascular fitness, plyometrics training, controlled sparring, flexibility, resistance and weight training, and much more. All of these activities are beneficial for your physical and mental health. The benefits are not only short term but also help years later by reducing stress on joints by keeping them active.
Training and competitions are a great way to develop habits for a healthy lifestyle. Competitions are an opportunity to learn many valuable life lessons that will help you succeed in anything that you attempt to do. Students often have to drop weight to fit into their category, which ultimately encourages healthy eating. Regular training sessions will significantly reduce the amount of stress in your life and improve your sleep.
A safe environment to apply skills
The environment created in competitions isn’t like anything a student will encounter at the dojo. This structured and secure environment gives students the chance to really test their skills and apply everything they’ve learned about martial arts. Through tournaments you will find the style that works best for you. You will find your strengths and weaknesses and will surely build a strong will power and NEVER GIVE UP attitude. Furthermore, you will receive valuable feedback from your judges, opponents, fellow teammates and your instructor that will help you improve your skills.
Great experience with the team and many new friendships
Tournaments aren’t only about competing. They should be fun! Competitions give students the chance to bond with their teammates outside of their traditional classes. This bonding happens through supporting one another, cheering and helping each other with the warming up before bouts. This feeling of team spirit makes students feel a sense of belonging and a shared interest with their peers. In tournaments you will meet judges, instructors, promoters and of course many fellow martial artists from all around the World. You will make new friendships and have an amazing experience.
Fear stops us from being great. Conquer your fears and be victorious
Courage above all things, is the first quality of a Warrior. You never forget your first tournament. The fear, the nerves, the sense that everyone is watching you, that feeling your heartbeat moved to your throat and became as loud as thunder. But this is exactly what makes it such a special experience. Tournament participation is you facing your fears. Your opponent is there to help you find out more about yourself, your strengths and weaknesses. We all have a sleeping warrior in our hearts, with huge potential to do great things, in life and tournaments. We’ll help you unlock it all. Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through the hardships of tournaments and decide not to surrender to your fears, that is strength.
Ultimately, to be successful in martial arts and in life, you need to get over your fears, doubts and insecurities. Doing this alone is difficult, even impossible at times, but being part of a loyal and supportive team always makes it easier.
