Open-style tournament?

Question

During the school year I study karate, however, this summer I picked up taekwondo for fun. Our taekwondo dojo is hosting an annual open-style tournament. here's the deal, in taewkondo, i'm a white belt, the bottom of the pole, the lowest ranking member. However, in my karate style, I'm 4th kyu, going to test for 3rd, (brown) by december. I want to compete, but would it be alright to ask my instructor if I can compete as a karate student instead of taekwondo? I have about 4 years of karate, and 3 weeks of taekwondo. I don't want to sound arrogant, but I know I'll beat everyone if I compete in the beginning division. I personally don't think that's fair. Also, my karate dojo might be attending that tournament, and I don't want to spar with the white belts from there. Like I said, I know I'll win. do you think the taekwondo instructor will let me compete as a karate student instead?

Answer 1

it can be a sensitive area, you see, most instructor if not all want you to fight under their club name or style, so they can be proud of you. So you can represent them.  Choosing a karate style to represent in a taekwondo tournament is really rubbing it in your instructor's face. it is like saying, karate is better that is why i represent karate to kick taekwondo ***.

Best is to tell you instructor what you have done in the past and ask him for advise. be humble, and he will tell you what is the best action to take.

Besides, those beginners you are competing against may have done other arts previously, so, you can't really tell, untill you fight them.

When you think about it, it is never fair anyway, some will be naturally physically strong, some have reach advantage, some have sharp and precise timing, some can affort to train full time, and you just happens to have more skills and more experiences as one of your advantage. In the long run, you will find that they will eventually catch up to you unless you train harder than them. so, just think of it as a warm up around.

Also, you can set up other side challenges for yourself, like ...you like to win a match with out geting hit by your opponents. you must avoid all attacks or blocks all attacks, and do your counter attacks. That will make it harder for yourself.

Answer 2

I dont see why not. At least your going to ask. Which is the polite thing to do. Good luck at your tournament.

Answer 3

In open tournaments you are required to compete at your highest rank.  It is not really up to either your TKD or Karate instructor, unless they just lie about your rank which would be unethical.