{"id":2106,"date":"2017-04-15T22:35:13","date_gmt":"2017-04-16T06:35:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.workparentsleep.com\/?p=2106"},"modified":"2021-04-27T08:59:30","modified_gmt":"2021-04-27T16:59:30","slug":"why-your-child-should-compete-in-a-karate-tournament","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/workparentsleep.com\/why-your-child-should-compete-in-a-karate-tournament\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Your Child Should Compete In A Karate Tournament"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the last five months, our 10-year-old has been taking karate lessons. \u00a0We were looking for an alternative to general sports, but something that would keep him active, competitive, and teach team building skills and discipline. \u00a0Karate satisfied all of those needs for us and this weekend we participated in his first tournament, the Ozawa International Karate Tournament<\/a> held yearly in Las Vegas. \u00a0This was an eye-opening experience for our entire family and showed me not only why karate can be a great tool for your child, but why your child should compete in a karate tournament (whether your child is currently taking classes and hasn’t competed, or is looking to get started).<\/p>\n

Karate<\/h1>\n

Karate is a martial art that was originally developed in the 1300s\u00a0in the Ryukyu Kingdom<\/a>. \u00a0It has evolved over the decades to become a striking art utilizing punching, kicking, knee strikes, elbow strikes, and open-hand techniques. \u00a0Over time karate adopted the white uniform that was made up of the Kimono, the Keikogi<\/a>, and colored belt ranks. Karate teaches not only patience, discipline, and respect, but also memorization and confidence.<\/p>\n

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Karate Belt Ranks<\/p><\/div>\n

Throughout my youth, I have participated in everything from soccer and basketball tournaments to track meets and archery competitions, but I have yet to experience anything quite like I did this weekend at the karate tournament. \u00a0Even as a spectator I learned a lot, and felt the unity and respect placed upon the artform. \u00a0There are many benefits that your child will gain from participating in a karate tournament and here are a couple of them.<\/p>\n

Learning to build up their peers<\/h1>\n

If you have ever experienced a moment where you are watching the Fifa World Cup or Olympic games that came down to the wire and began to feel overwhelmed with excitement and pride for your country, cheering the competitors\u00a0on to victory, you will understand this benefit. \u00a0I saw a group of 18 kids and adults who have learned and grown together for the last couple months as friends become a family and a team.<\/p>\n

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Our studio warm up with the kids<\/p><\/div>\n

During our weekly practices, the kids do individual work as well as group exercises and routines, but the competition is always internal. \u00a0After sparring matches or routines all of the kids clap for each other as you will experience\u00a0anywhere, but it wasn’t until the karate tournament I saw them start to root for their teammates. \u00a0Our group’s ages range from 6-55, and when I watched one of the youngest on his feet cheering on one of our team members in the adult division during one of his sparring matches, I was impressed!<\/p>\n