prcscct wrote:This all really begs the question why teach Wado Ryu here at all, and why should parents have their kids learn it if they'll be discriminated against in competitions and/or their talent ignored?
Everyone is in Thailand, and Thailand seems to be all Shotokan, so why not adapt to what's common here? Pete
Yes, and that is a huge question. This is the 'abridged answer, as I spent 3 hours writing chapter and verse, and it disappeared into the ether.
why should parents have their kids learn it
There are a lot of reasons, and kumite is near the bottom of the list. Wado Karate is a traditional style and Sport Karate is low in the pecking order.
"Wado" means "the way of peace and harmony" - "Ryu" means "school". Wado Ryu was devised by Hironori Ohtsuka, the first Grandmaster. Hironori Ohtsuka was already a master of Jiu-jitsu when he began to study Karate with Gichin Funakoshi and Choki Motobu. Wado Ryu was a development of Okinawan Karate in combination with Jui-jitsu
Physical Benefits include:
- Improved reflexes and coordination
- Increased performance in all physical activities
- Increased strength and stamina so you feel great all day
- Increased flexibility and weight control for better overall fitness
- Cardiovascular workouts ( heart and lungs ) to keep you in top shape
- Greatly improved balance
- Ability to defend yourself
Mental Benefits include:
- Improved concentration for better work and study habits
- Stress reduction and the ability to relax
- Confidence in knowing you can defend yourself and your family
- Confidence in knowing how to deal with bullies and other confrontations
- A positive attitude toward life through self-confidence and self-discipline
- Self-esteem and your outlook on life
- Respect for yourself and those around you
- Motivation and an 'I Can Do It' attitude
they'll be discriminated against in competitions and/or their talent ignored?
I think this shows where your misunderstanding is. All over the world the various forms of karate are kept seperate, and only brought together in the name of sport. Thailand isn't much different, but barriers are proving to be harder to break down.
Last year I was allowed to enter the Thailand Open, which was primarily Shotokan for Thais, although I wasn't awarded a single point which surprised many, including my opponent, who actually thought he'd lost. The work I did last year has now opened the door for other non-Shotokan competitors this year.
Last weekend I was able to enter another primarily Shotokan event. Many of the referees were the same. This time I made it to the semi-final, and won a medal.
At last weekend's event I was invited to a Goju Ryu tournament being fought in bangkok in August.
All over the world karate styles work within their own circles. They invite outsiders to boost numbers for their competitions. However, when it comes to International level, each style is a closed shop, and each nation has several International Teams who each attend their own world championships. The main international squad is selected from the mini-squads.
Mine is one of 3 Wado schools that I know of in Thailand. Senseis from the 3 clubs are due to meet in August to discuss inter-club Wado Championships in Thailand. When we feel we're ready, we'll stage our own championships - our champion could, in theory progress to the Wado world championships in Japan. My club is affiliated to the World Karate Federation. So talent could/will be recognised. We would invite other styles to boost competition numbers.
Once recognised on the karate circuit, we'll start to get our own referees involved, and as Wado increases, bias should diminish. I myself will be travelling to the UK next year to hopefully gain my 3rd Dan, at which point I will join the referree circuit (following training).
Everyone is in Thailand, and Thailand seems to be all Shotokan, so why not adapt to what's common here?
Yes, the majority is Shotokan. However to get karate into the Olympics, styles need to merge. If Thailand doesn't get real, it will be left behind.
Here in Hua Hin, I'm the only act in town; although I've never told anybody that thay shouldn't cross-fertilize. Actually, what I've just said is a white lie. There is currently a Shotokan sensei in town for 13 weeks, teaching 14/15 year olds in a local school while he's there.
Actually, I support cross fertilization, and I've incorporated the best of the best into some of my teaching, although grading is strictly controlled through our traing syllabus.
Yes, long winded answer, but it was a HUGE question.