Enjoy the journey

Hello, everyone! I’m excited to share with you my experience of participating in the TaiKai Karate Tournament in Miami, where I won silver in the Kata category. It was an amazing and rewarding journey that taught me a lot about myself and my passion for karate.

My Preparation

I have been practicing karate for around 20 years and I am a black belt 3rd Dan. However, competition is pretty new for me. I decided to challenge myself and sign up for the TaiKai tournament, which is one of the most prestigious events in Florida.

To prepare for the tournament, I had to train hard and smart. I chose to present Jion, a representative kata in the Shotokan system that emphasizes the perfection of the basic stances, notably zenkutsu dachi (front stance) and kiba dachi (horse stance). Jion also means “love and goodness”, which reflects my attitude towards karate and life.

I enjoyed every step of the journey, from learning the kata, to practicing it, to polishing it. I followed three principles that helped me improve my skills and mindset: Growth Mindset, Kaizen, and Ikigai.

My Principles

Growth Mindset is the belief that abilities can be developed through effort and learning I adopted this mindset to overcome any doubts or difficulties I faced during my training. I believed that I could always improve and learn from my mistakes. I also sought feedback from my sensei and peers, and welcomed constructive criticism.

Kaizen is the Japanese concept of continuous improvement, or “change for the better”. It involves making small but consistent changes that lead to big results over time. I applied this concept to my training by setting specific and measurable goals and tracking my progress. I also made sure to review my performance and identify areas of improvement.

Ikigai is the Japanese concept of “reason for being” or “purpose in life”. It is the intersection of what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. I found my ikigai in karate, as it is my passion, my talent, my contribution, and my career. Karate gives me a sense of meaning and direction in life, and motivates me to pursue excellence.

My Competition

The day of the competition arrived, and I was ready to face the challenge. I was nervous but also confident, as I knew I had prepared well. I performed Jion with grace, power, and precision. I was thrilled to win the silver medal, and proud of myself for achieving my goal.

The competition was not only a test of my skills, but also an opportunity to learn from others. I watched and admired the performances of the other competitors, who showed amazing levels of skill and dedication. I also made new friends and connections, and exchanged tips and insights with them. I was inspired by the spirit and camaraderie of the karate community.

My Conclusion

Participating in the TaiKai Karate Tournament was one of the best decisions I ever made. It was a rewarding and enriching experience that helped me grow as a karateka and as a person. I learned a lot about myself and my passion, and I applied principles that enhanced my skills and mindset. I also enjoyed the competition and the interaction with other karate enthusiasts.

I want to thank my sensei, my dojo, my family, and my friends for their support and encouragement. I also want to congratulate the other medalists and participants for their outstanding performances. I hope to see them again in future tournaments.

I hope you enjoyed reading my blog post, and I hope it inspired you to pursue your own goals and passions. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for your attention, and until next time, oss!