This question usually pops up in our heads once we turn 30 or 35. Some of us even before 30. Now I know there are some hard core guys and gals that keep competition mode longer than that, but let’s just take the other 90%+ of us, us mere mortals.
Now I’ve talked about extremely talented people giving up once they’re out of competition mode, and that it’s always something hard to accept for me. The reason is literally not managing your expectations.
“If it doesn’t bring money on the table it’s not worth it, if I can’t be the best at it, it doesn’t make sense!” Now if we are talking about a full contact sport with strikes to the head or getting thrown on it, then I do understand. If you haven’t made it until a certain age then I would question my priorities, and if it’s worth it. But even that doesn’t mean you can’t do it for fun.
But what bothers me is that many people if they don’t want to spar anymore or compete just quit it all together. They say they’ll take up another sport but they don’t. Because if competition was the only thing that drove them and it drove them because they felt they had an edge over the competition but they don’t feel it anymore, then no matter the sport most of them won’t really do anything anymore.
But does that mean you can’t train anymore? What, you can’t come to the gym and hit the heavy bag, do some Kata, add some Kihon, do some mittwork and play a little game of tag or so-called light sparring?
There’s plenty of ways to build confidence in this sport, and everything’s better than sitting on a couch complaining about how things should have been.
Look at the top Kata players. Many of them are competing well in their 30’s and some winning God knows how many medals, while others maybe a few. You think someone does it just because they like competition? They do it because they like to practice, train, be in a positive environment and do their best.
“Because as we age, and turn less to competition or aren’t really that much into sparring anymore, that doesn’t mean we can’t train effectively anymore. There’s so much more stuff in Karate you can do or better said so much more to Karate than that.”
When I wrote that in a previous article I meant it for every sport or art. Once you’ve found something positive where you’re seeking self-perfection is when you’ve found yourself. It’s good, you enjoy it then have fun with it.
So in the case of Karate I just don’t understand why so many quit after their competitive career. Training and learning new stuff and new ways with your body, acquiring a better mind-body connection and good socialization should be key. So, just because “it doesn’t sell” to the public means you should give up on things you like? When I say “public” I mean being able to brag or show your dominance to people that don’t care about you or what you do. Those people aren’t worth your time or your concern, but you are!
Your Karate journey hasn’t ended, my friend, it has just begun.