May 2017
Our 32nd Benefit Tournament is in the record book. There were 23 dojos in attendance from New Jersey, New York & Long Island, Pennsylvania and Maine. There were 134 competitors in 57 divisions. Our students won 29 awards. Thank you to all who competed, attended and helped during the day to make this tournament a success and run so smoothly. Many comments were made about how people were pleased to attend and participate.
Karate is about more than competition. It is about developing the intrinsic nature of perfecting the “self” through the discipline found within the “art”. So, why compete? Competition and the desire to do well creates stress and puts the individual in a situation where he or she must deal with the stress to succeed. Looking beyond the stress a challenge creates, one can recognize the simple solution. It is often overanalyzed an issue that it is no wonder we sometimes miss the obvious fix –
- focus on the training that has been done.
- focus on the skills that have been learned though good, focused, instruction.
- focus on the fact that each person is prepared and will perform to the best of his or her ability.
focus on the fact that not everyone wins and not everyone get an award – the intrinsic nature and satisfaction of doing one’s best.Competition gives the individual a gauge to see how one’s style and ability compares to others of a similar age and level of ability. (rank) I meet people at events that I have known for more than 40 years. As we do not train together at this time, it is a time to catch up on our lives and what we are doing. Vince Lombardi’s philosophy transcends football. His powerful words capture the fundamentals of success in any sport, business, or life :
“The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have.” — Vince Lombardi
“There is only one way to succeed in anything and that is to give it everything.” — Vince Lombardi
“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will.” — Vince Lombardi
- “Winning is a habit. Watch your thoughts, they become your beliefs. Watch your beliefs, they become your words. Watch your words, they become your actions. Watch your actions, they become your habits. Watch your habits, they become your character.” “The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender.” “Confidence is contagious and so is lack of confidence, and a customer will recognize both.” “If you don’t think you’re a winner, you don’t belong here.” “Don’t succumb to excuses. Go back to the job of making the corrections and forming the habits that will make your goal possible.” — Vince Lombardi
Each of Vince Lombardi’s thoughts tie into our Isshin-ryu training. We are training our thoughts and actions to become instinct through the habits learned through class and individual practice. We work hard, build confidence, don’t make excuses, work to correct mistakes but accept them and move on. When each individual on the team accepts full responsibility and speaks truthfully about his or her performance, it builds team trust. Once the self-critique is over, the team reviews their performance. Most importantly, when deficiencies are noted, action must be taken to improve and correct.
- Champions are driven by emotional motivators
- The great ones chose discipline over pleasure
- The great ones believe they cannot fail…they can only learn and grow
- The great ones take responsibility
- Champions have an immense capacity for heightened concentration
- Common sense is the foundation of high performance
- The great ones make the complicated simple
Champions are driven by a heightened belief systemAgain, congratulations to everyone who competed, supported and helped during the tournament. You are NUMBER ONE in my book.
