The world of martial arts and combat sports is one that has changed drastically over the last few decades. People who competed in the late 90’s and even early 2000’s will say that it’s almost completely different.
Now, most of the sports remained the same. I mean, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Karate, BJJ, boxing and even MMA were here even 20 or more years ago. Ok, regulations, rules, sanctioning bodies and exposure for some sports changed but in terms of „new combat sports“ we don’t have much more on the plate.
What those „old“ competitors are trying to say is that it’s not the same feeling when you compete or attain a competition or class as it was before.
Values change but not necessarily for the better.
Simple things like a bow or handshake or salute to your opponent that show appreciation and respect for the opportunity to test you are just not finding their way through today’s jungle of quick-fix ego gratification.
Even the most exposed athletes in the mainstream combat sports are highlighted through their medals, and titles won, talking about how tough their camp was and nothing about the consistency of training and discipline that builds character EVERY DAY since they started training, and that a martial artist’s training and building of character NEVER ENDS.
And then there’s the trash talk, dissing and ego-hyping to „sell“ a fight that someone more „oldschool“ like me just has a hard time digesting. All that hyping to sell a fight where world champions pick opponents, fights take years to get made, one of the fighters passes his prime or fighters fighting twice or even once a year can take the juice out of the joy of being a combat sports fan.
I believe by what I have been observing as well as practicing myself that traditional martial arts with a sport twist like sport Karate will have it’s wind back. Why, you say? Allow me then to explain that in the articles I will be writing.
I hope you find yourself on this site in terms that I can give You a better look and insight at the best Kata players and also that you learn maybe some new stuff or maybe a different approach to training and following of the sport.
Founder of karateworldmedalists.com
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