At World Kanreikai Karate, we think that all students can grow by experiencing competition if only once in their lifetime. It is certainly inspiring to see a student coming back from a tournament with renewed energy and motivation to train even harder. Indeed, the benefits of competition are far reaching and long lasting.

First, students learn about themselves! This is the most important benefit of all. Experience in competition definitely makes students better no matter what the results are because they learn how they react under pressure and what their strengths are.

Students also gain confidence from competing. Just by performing their kata or finishing their fight - no matter the outcome - they realize all they can accomplish!

Most students come away from competition with a strong resolve to improve. To actually perform a kata or finish a fight provides a boost of energy and motivation to do better next time.

Competition provides an occasion for students to measure themselves against others. It can be humbling or conversely extremely gratifying to see where one fits in the grand scheme of things! Ultimately though, it is not where one stands that is important but what he/she does about it. To a strong competitor, each tournament brings additional experience to get to the next level and face even stronger competitors. For a not so strong competitor, each competition should increase his/her resolve to improve. Karate is about self- knowledge and development, mind and body.

Through competition, students become part of a team. Even though Kata and Fighting events are individual challenges, competitors nonetheless feel the support and hear the shouts of encouragement of the whole team as they perform. Whether they are kids, teens or adults, all students benefit from this very valuable and rewarding experience.