Well. It's been a while since I posted and lots has happened in my martial arts world. I've been lucky enough to continue training with the inimitable Peter May and Sakagami Sensei. I've competed in European Championships in England, Hungary and Lisbon but missed out on a place in the team for world Championships in Japan and moved away from Leicester Karate Association to join Hei Jo Shin.
I've also, by virtue of being able to train on Mondays, taken up a new martial art; taekwondo.
Followers of my earlier blog will know I've tried a few taekwondo clubs in the past, but I'm really enjoying the opportunity to learn more about the art, and starting as a white belt and working ones way up is the way to do that.
This blog is my attempt to compare and contrast karate and taekwondo and comment on the different benefits of each.
I hope you'll join me..
Hi Suze! My primary training has been in Japanese Martial Arts, so I'm certainly partial. :). But the impression I've gotten from TKD over the years is that there are more 12 year olds with black belts in this art than any other I've come across. Admittedly, that is a pet peeve of mine, but I really think it's important to reserve the ranks of Shodan and above to a certain age limit.
ReplyDeleteBudo is about much more than combative effectiveness, and I just don't think kids have the understanding of that until a certain age.
I applaud you for branching out in your studies. I've recently decided to give Kung Fu a try, even though, in my younger years, I would have scoffed at the idea.
Good luck to you!
Hi Suze! My primary training has been in Japanese Martial Arts, so I'm certainly partial. :). But the impression I've gotten from TKD over the years is that there are more 12 year olds with black belts in this art than any other I've come across. Admittedly, that is a pet peeve of mine, but I really think it's important to reserve the ranks of Shodan and above to a certain age limit.
ReplyDeleteBudo is about much more than combative effectiveness, and I just don't think kids have the understanding of that until a certain age.
I applaud you for branching out in your studies. I've recently decided to give Kung Fu a try, even though, in my younger years, I would have scoffed at the idea.
Good luck to you!
Hi, I was 16 when I got my shodan, but unusually mature and dedicated I was told. You'll see from my blog on MA schools in Leicester that I tend to see very young black belts as a quick indicator of lower standards - but I have seen real commitment and quality in 12 years olds - and some attain JKF standard shodans under very tough conditions.
DeleteI see taekwondo as more of a sport than an art - and more military than budo but I have been impressed with the power and agility that sometimes is lacking in trad karate practitioners. More to come.