Being made fun of for competeing in a certain division?

Question

A few months ago I dislocated my shoulder in a san shou rules match. After months of healing and rehab, im training pretty hard again. Now another tournament has arrived and I opted for the "point sparring" division instead of the harder contact divisions,because I have a kyokushin rules tourney in sept, so Im allowing myself to heal more for that. A few of my kung fu brothers heard about this and started snickering behind my back. Not to be full of myself, but I work harder than anyone else at my school, and I think its just them being happy im not at the top of my game right now. True, point sparring isnt realistic for acual fighting, but it does train the reflexes and takes some skill. Im putting on a demo at the tourney and everyone else is fighting, so I just wanted to do something as well. What are your views regarding these topics?

Answer 1

.Who cares what they think. You know where your body is at and what it can handle now.  You still are in a competition so it should show that you still have a strong desire to mix it up.  Just keep trying to be the best that you can be.  If you feel your body still needs rest before entering full contact competitions, so be it.  You know your body better then anyone else. Good luck.

Answer 2

I think your instructor has missed teaching the lesson of humility to your fellow students!

I think that you have made the right decision. If you want to be truly competative in the kyokushin tournament then you are better not competing in this coming tournament. There is no shame in training, like you said points sparring involves training the reflexes and in fact has a skill level all it's own. I know how hard it can be to focus on the point scoring shots rather than aiming to take somebody's head off!

Just get in there, do your best in the point scoring, then get yourself in top condition for the big one...show them how petty they are with your skill!

Answer 3

I think it's commendable that your are at least competing.  After a injury common-sense tells any one to take it easy.  It's never easy to just climb back into "full contact" competition after something like that.  Anyone can sit and knock you for it, but when it happens to them will they snicker like that?  I would guess not.  Getting back to being 100% with your shoulder I'd think you'd want to be absolutely sure about right?  I once cracked the radial head areas of both my wrists and elbows in both arms and I couldn't even pick up a small glasss of water without two hands for about 6 months some years ago so I know the feeling.  Take it slow man and let them "snicker all they want.  You'd think that a "brotherhood" would understand what you must have gone through during your rehabilitation and support you for at least competing no matter what level you compete on. "Respect"  as well as compassion for people has gone right out the window these days.  That's unfortunate because that's what any art form should be all about.  I hate to hear about your injury, but at least you have the willingness to press on by getting back into competition.  Good luck man and don't let your fellow students get under your skin too badly.  Like I've said if it had happened to them it would be a different story huh?  "through pain and suffering we are made whole" in other words if your ever see someone dealing with your same type of situation here you'll be able to relate on a real level and maybe pass on some decent advice as well as support them rather then "snicker" about what they're going through.

Answer 4

Well I can see guys ribbing you but it is just that. I don't think it is animosity or anything ill will other than a general dislike of point sparring. To me it would be the same if an actively competing Judoka hurt himself and said he was going to do Kata in the next competetion. While Kata has it's purpose, someone who normally does Shiai doing Kata seems pretty funny. Nothing more than in a messing with sort of way, I wouldn't put too much thought into it though.

However I think that resting would be better preparation than point sparring. Mainly because it is an entirely different game, stances are dramatically different, and you find yourself eliminated rather quickly against opponents you would have killed in a full contact setting. Since you still have to extend in a rapid fashion, you are just as likely, if not more to deal with reinjuring your shoulder.

I think doing your Demo and resting up is better than doing point sparring. Mainly because you will gain nothing from it, and have just as much likelihood of injury then if you were doing full contact.

That would just be my take..

Answer 5

i love point sparring it takes agility and skill :) a lot of people bad talk it and everyone is entitled to their oppinion

Answer 6

Tell that to all of the WCL competitors with point sparring backgrounds that are currently beating down all of the kickboxers. I'm talking about Raymond Daniels, Jason Tankson-Bourelly, and Jack Felton. They are killing in the WCL because whenever they strike or kick, it always lands. They can also evade rather than stand there like a punching bag.