http://www.wimsblog.com/2009/12/the-value-of-competing/ Wim Demeere's thoughts on Martial Arts and Self Defense Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:03:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= http://www.wimsblog.com/2009/12/the-value-of-competing/comment-page-1/#comment-592 Wim Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:58:21 +0000 http://www.wimsblog.com/?p=1215#comment-592 Garry: It's true that entering a competition when you're sick isn't the best of ideas. But you did it anyway and made it out in one piece. IMO, that's all that matters. We all make mistakes and do things that in hindsight we wouldn't consider anymore. I don't think you can fault yourself for being human. I agree, competing is just a game. It can be an intense one, but still a game. Garry:
It’s true that entering a competition when you’re sick isn’t the best of ideas. But you did it anyway and made it out in one piece. IMO, that’s all that matters. We all make mistakes and do things that in hindsight we wouldn’t consider anymore. I don’t think you can fault yourself for being human.
I agree, competing is just a game. It can be an intense one, but still a game.

]]> http://www.wimsblog.com/2009/12/the-value-of-competing/comment-page-1/#comment-2583 Wim Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:58:00 +0000 http://www.wimsblog.com/?p=1215#comment-2583 Garry: It's true that entering a competition when you're sick isn't the best of ideas. But you did it anyway and made it out in one piece. IMO, that's all that matters. We all make mistakes and do things that in hindsight we wouldn't consider anymore. I don't think you can fault yourself for being human. I agree, competing is just a game. It can be an intense one, but still a game. Garry:
It’s true that entering a competition when you’re sick isn’t the best of ideas. But you did it anyway and made it out in one piece. IMO, that’s all that matters. We all make mistakes and do things that in hindsight we wouldn’t consider anymore. I don’t think you can fault yourself for being human.
I agree, competing is just a game. It can be an intense one, but still a game.

]]> http://www.wimsblog.com/2009/12/the-value-of-competing/comment-page-1/#comment-591 Garry Hodgins Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:55:54 +0000 http://www.wimsblog.com/?p=1215#comment-591 I have mixed feelings about the value of competitions. I agree with what you say about their value as a motivational tool to help us focus and refine our conditioning and technique and they also, generally, help one to build character through the accumulation of experience. However, I dont agree with Shane's comment that, like Edith Piaf, there are never any regrets. Now, I am conscious that some of the more battle hardened and driven competitors out there may take issue with these comments and talk about developing a "winning" and "losing" mentality but life has shown me that it and we are far more complex than the lessons learned from the crucible of controlled competitions. The lessons are only useful as metaphors for far more important challenges which we will have to face along the way. I have some regrets about not listening to my better judgement and entering a shuai jiao tournament (as defending champion against strong competitiors) when I was on anti - biotics and feeling weak and asthmatic. I should have listened to my own counsel and not given in to machismo. I am still embarassed by how I performed that day and, ultimately, it led me to give up competitions. I can hear whispers of "losing mentality" surfacing here. Overall, though, I did benefit form taking part in pushing hands, shuai jiao and san shou competitions. I enjoyed, and still enjoy, training with some realism but am more conscious now than ever that martial arts, for all their allure are simply a game. The lessons that you shoose to learn from playing them, however, can have seriously positive consequences. I have mixed feelings about the value of competitions. I agree with what you say about their value as a motivational tool to help us focus and refine our conditioning and technique and they also, generally, help one to build character through the accumulation of experience. However, I dont agree with Shane’s comment that, like Edith Piaf, there are never any regrets. Now, I am conscious that some of the more battle hardened and driven competitors out there may take issue with these comments and talk about developing a “winning” and “losing” mentality but life has shown me that it and we are far more complex than the lessons learned from the crucible of controlled competitions. The lessons are only useful as metaphors for far more important challenges which we will have to face along the way. I have some regrets about not listening to my better judgement and entering a shuai jiao tournament (as defending champion against strong competitiors) when I was on anti – biotics and feeling weak and asthmatic. I should have listened to my own counsel and not given in to machismo. I am still embarassed by how I performed that day and, ultimately, it led me to give up competitions. I can hear whispers of “losing mentality” surfacing here. Overall, though, I did benefit form taking part in pushing hands, shuai jiao and san shou competitions. I enjoyed, and still enjoy, training with some realism but am more conscious now than ever that martial arts, for all their allure are simply a game. The lessons that you shoose to learn from playing them, however, can have seriously positive consequences.

]]> http://www.wimsblog.com/2009/12/the-value-of-competing/comment-page-1/#comment-2582 Garry Hodgins Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:55:00 +0000 http://www.wimsblog.com/?p=1215#comment-2582 I have mixed feelings about the value of competitions. I agree with what you say about their value as a motivational tool to help us focus and refine our conditioning and technique and they also, generally, help one to build character through the accumulation of experience. However, I dont agree with Shane's comment that, like Edith Piaf, there are never any regrets. Now, I am conscious that some of the more battle hardened and driven competitors out there may take issue with these comments and talk about developing a "winning" and "losing" mentality but life has shown me that it and we are far more complex than the lessons learned from the crucible of controlled competitions. The lessons are only useful as metaphors for far more important challenges which we will have to face along the way. I have some regrets about not listening to my better judgement and entering a shuai jiao tournament (as defending champion against strong competitiors) when I was on anti - biotics and feeling weak and asthmatic. I should have listened to my own counsel and not given in to machismo. I am still embarassed by how I performed that day and, ultimately, it led me to give up competitions. I can hear whispers of "losing mentality" surfacing here. Overall, though, I did benefit form taking part in pushing hands, shuai jiao and san shou competitions. I enjoyed, and still enjoy, training with some realism but am more conscious now than ever that martial arts, for all their allure are simply a game. The lessons that you shoose to learn from playing them, however, can have seriously positive consequences. I have mixed feelings about the value of competitions. I agree with what you say about their value as a motivational tool to help us focus and refine our conditioning and technique and they also, generally, help one to build character through the accumulation of experience. However, I dont agree with Shane’s comment that, like Edith Piaf, there are never any regrets. Now, I am conscious that some of the more battle hardened and driven competitors out there may take issue with these comments and talk about developing a “winning” and “losing” mentality but life has shown me that it and we are far more complex than the lessons learned from the crucible of controlled competitions. The lessons are only useful as metaphors for far more important challenges which we will have to face along the way. I have some regrets about not listening to my better judgement and entering a shuai jiao tournament (as defending champion against strong competitiors) when I was on anti – biotics and feeling weak and asthmatic. I should have listened to my own counsel and not given in to machismo. I am still embarassed by how I performed that day and, ultimately, it led me to give up competitions. I can hear whispers of “losing mentality” surfacing here. Overall, though, I did benefit form taking part in pushing hands, shuai jiao and san shou competitions. I enjoyed, and still enjoy, training with some realism but am more conscious now than ever that martial arts, for all their allure are simply a game. The lessons that you shoose to learn from playing them, however, can have seriously positive consequences.

]]> http://www.wimsblog.com/2009/12/the-value-of-competing/comment-page-1/#comment-590 Wim Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:29:23 +0000 http://www.wimsblog.com/?p=1215#comment-590 Shane: Competition is fun, I tell all my guys that. There's annoying stuff that comes with them (the waiting....) but mostly, you have to see it as an experience few people get and enjot the hell out of it. Shane: Competition is fun, I tell all my guys that. There’s annoying stuff that comes with them (the waiting….) but mostly, you have to see it as an experience few people get and enjot the hell out of it.

]]> http://www.wimsblog.com/2009/12/the-value-of-competing/comment-page-1/#comment-2581 Wim Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:29:00 +0000 http://www.wimsblog.com/?p=1215#comment-2581 Shane: Competition is fun, I tell all my guys that. There's annoying stuff that comes with them (the waiting....) but mostly, you have to see it as an experience few people get and enjot the hell out of it. Shane: Competition is fun, I tell all my guys that. There’s annoying stuff that comes with them (the waiting….) but mostly, you have to see it as an experience few people get and enjot the hell out of it.

]]> http://www.wimsblog.com/2009/12/the-value-of-competing/comment-page-1/#comment-588 Wim Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:26:21 +0000 http://www.wimsblog.com/?p=1215#comment-588 Rory: I agree. Getting over your own inhibitions is a big thing in defending your life. And in pretty much everything, else it'll help too. Competing sure gets you used to that. At the first world championships I entered, it was a pretty spooky feeling to be center stage with everybody watching. Still, the Russian guy trying to bash my head in a minute later kind of made it less of a big deal. :-) Rory: I agree. Getting over your own inhibitions is a big thing in defending your life. And in pretty much everything, else it’ll help too.
Competing sure gets you used to that. At the first world championships I entered, it was a pretty spooky feeling to be center stage with everybody watching. Still, the Russian guy trying to bash my head in a minute later kind of made it less of a big deal. :-)

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