So far, i have been formally teaching karate for over 2 years and a practitioner for 26 years. I'd like to think that i do a fairly good job at teaching because i see the progress of my students. I think have a good eye that can see not only their faults but how they can correct them. Some of my tactics are archaic, i.e. place a chair for them to kick over it but some are pretty modern. I use medicine to augment the teaching of karate. In the end, i don't overburden the kids bodies and i build up the adults. Im not the best but i try to do good for my students as my teachers have for me (or at least i hope they did).
My class have had their fair share of medals. When i was in Cubao, i once had all my participating students win at least a medal each in a tournament. I am happy that even though the ones that couldn't come with me to greenhills or shang had to train under a different teacher, i still see them compete and win. I still see the stuff i taught them in the way they move and act in the tournaments. I am happy that they remember. I know that their new teachers are proud to have their students win but inside, i feel that i had a hand in the development of those students.
This last one wasn't good for them though because none of my old ex-students won anymore but they still have it in them to train and participate. The ones under me that participated in last weekend's competition won a medal each. Some by desire, some by talent and some by sheer perseverance. It feels good to be validated i suppose. I am doing something good for these students of mine. I hope they remember me someday. I know that their victories are mostly theirs because they do all the work. All i do is guide them and point out the way. I am proud of these kids. Im hoping that the adults will see the value in competing, too. As Okazaki Shihan said, "Tournament is part of training."
I have some students that did well in kumite and not as well in kata. I think it is a matter of priorities in this case as well as how much heart they put in the training for each type of competition. I felt sad for a little girl who felt bad after losing to a lower ranked competitor. I know that it might be misconstrued as humiliating in a young child but i hope that someday she will find it in herself to see that it is a humbling experience. It might show her to stop and see that she should not take things for granted, make her humble enough to train harder.. and maybe listen more to her Sensei ;)
Pride, vanity and ego are really bad for competition, both during a
nd after. During com
petition, those three contributes to overconfidence. After, it makes losing a much more unpleasant experience. Come to think of it, it is also bad for before a competition because thinking that you are good might make you train less. I hope that i can teach them the more philosophical aspects of karate and make them better people in the end.Congratulations to Lalor Deang for her medals in kata and kumite. Francine Lim for he silver in kata (her first attempt in the intermediate category). Kylie Carpizo for her medal in kata (her first, hopefully of many. She really worked hard to fix the stuff i corrected). Carl Ong for his first medal, a silver in kata which i think he worked hard to prepare for because of his significant leap in performance from the last time i checked him prior to the last practice. Urie and Gabby Joaquin for their medals in kumite.
