Competition

Students often get very excited about the prospect of competition. In the dojang we see students in the weeks before a tournament giving a little extra effort, training a little more seriously, and attending class more frequently. I applaud those students who are willing to put in extra effort to better themselves. In the case of preparing for tournaments I often feel that while the students actions are worthy of praise, they are often motivated for the wrong reason.

The question I like to ask students is: “Who are you competing against?” Most of time the answer comes back as: an opponent, another student, an attacker on the street, etc… True Tang Soo Do training is indeed a competition; however, the person the student is competing against is themselves.

Do not measure your progress, development, and achievement by using another person as a benchmark. You should set goals and use yourself to measure your success. How high could you kick your first class? How high can you kick today? How high do you want to kick tomorrow? When participating in a tournament do not judge yourself by the performance of others. We should not look at our friends in tournaments as opponents, instead we look at them as friends getting together to share our knowledge and experience in Tang Soo Do.

Why do we give away awards? Trophies and medals are mementos of a job well done. The judges watch the competitors and recognize those students that most exemplify the ideals and techniques that characterize Tang Soo Do. Students should not focus on winning a medal; they should focus on winning against themselves. You win against yourself by training to become: stronger, faster, more agile, wiser then you were before. As you work to polish yourself you will find that the medals will follow without having to focus on them as a goal.

Success is not measured by metal trinkets collected over the years at tournaments. Success is measured by the lessons learned, the progress you have made and the lessons you have been able to share with others.

I encourage all students to attend tournaments to share in the camaraderie that is unique to the World Tang Soo Do Association. Go there to share techniques and ideas with your fellow students from around the world. The friendships that you will establish are much more important than any material possession you can buy or win.

Tang Soo!

Master Scott C. Homschek

Originally posted at www.rvtsda.com March 2003 

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