Tournaments

Tournaments are an opportunity for students to test their skills against others outside their own school. Students meet others of their rank and make friends, and they get to know black belts from other schools.

Tournaments are an important aspect of the martial arts learning experience: a student broadens his/her understanding in ways that s/he can't in the dojang alone. For me, I learned at tournaments to face my fears and do my best under stress, and I got to know dozens of others who share my interests. Occasionally, we are lucky enough to draw competitors from other styles. And then there is the excitement of competition!


Competition: hyungs (forms), board breaking for brown stripe and above, and sparring (fighting). Divisions: ten and under are called "pee wee," with the little ones called "super peewees." Eleven to fourteen is "junior" division. We have separate men's and women's divisions for fifteen and over, and a senior division (age depends on participants: if there are few "older" students, senior may be 35 and older). Team competition involves four team members (brown stripe and above) who perform a hyung, break wood, and demonstrate self-defense or fighting. Often, these demos are complex and hugely entertaining.

There are several tournaments each year: Great Grandmaster Kim holds one in May and one in October or November in Gresham, OR at the National Guard Armory. These are both championship tournaments. Grandmaster Tesdal holds a friendship tournament in February in Vernonia, OR. Grandmaster Knife holds a Championship tournament in Boise, ID in March. Master Henkel holds a friendship tournament in Renton, WA in July. There is also a tournament in Boseman, MT.

Winner! Trophies are given out at the end of the tournament.












Blue belt sparring division, men.
The difference between championship and friendship tournaments: at friendship tournaments competitors get extra tries if they make a mistake. At championship tournaments, the rules tend to be more strict, and at the end of the day all of the black belt division winners spar off to see who wins the title of Men's or Women's Grand Champion. These matches are very exciting to watch, with skilled martial artists giving it their all. 

Tournaments vary in price, usually between $35-50 to enter, $5 for spectators over ten. All students are required to participate in at least three tournaments before applying for black belt.

Tournament rules: Click HERE for handout.


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