Lessons

Hard Lessons To Learn....

Ryan participated in a karate tournament today. I personally did not expect him to win any medals- but he loves Karate and I did not care if he won at all.  He assumed that because the last two years he has won medals at SOCK Kumite than he would win at Kumite.

Let me explain the difference between SOCK Kumite and plain Kumite. In the younger kids they have the kids spar while trying to obtain the two socks placed in the belt of the opponents GI.  You get the socks you win. Period....very OBJECTIVE.

In Kumite you place your hits and blocks and a judge awards you points.  After two minutes the person with the most points wins.  If the judge misses your hit, or is biased it is easy to miss points. SUBJECTIVE

Today RYan did fair at Kata- but he was aware that he is better at Kumite and was looking forward to it.  His turn to compete comes around and he was AWESOME!! The otehr kid was a lot bigger than him and was RUNNING from him!!  Everyone- even the other kids coach said Ryan won the round hands down- yet when the points came up it was 2-1 NOT in Ryan's favour.

Ryan was devastated- it was all he could do to not lose it. I told him I was very proud of him, and that he isnot in Karate for competition but for himself.  It didnot help much. SO......on the way home we discussed SUBJECTIVITY vs OBJECTIVITY - and the fact that there are several people out there who are black belts and have NEVER won a medal. He feels a little better- but it is hard to explain to an eight year old that everyone but the one judge felt he won - yet he did not.

He is over it now...that happens when you are eight....but now I worry that in amonth we have another tournament and that he will be upset again.....ahhhh the stresses of parenthood.

Here are some pics of him sparring- I think he looks great!!!!!!