from the March, 2016 issue of Kiai!

Why Thousand Waves has a Tournament

Competition and Cooperation Both Have Valuable Lessons
for Children and Teens

By Sei Shihan Nancy Lanoue
Co-Director of TW’s Karate Programs


Henry waits for his score.


Senpai Charles participates in the Black Belt board-breaking event of last year's tournament.


Senpai Ethan and another Junior Black Belt competed in sparring last year.


Dillon shows pride in his accomplishment with last year's beginner kata group.

At Thousand Waves, a primary goal in our children’s karate programs is to foster inclusivity, diversity and a sense of community among members. In regular classes, teachers more often focus on creating a cooperative rather than a competitive environment to spur students’ personal growth. Why then are we hosting a kids’ tournament on March 5th? Is competition congruent with our mission? What positive outcomes might children get from participating?

The Practice of Facing Fear and Moving Through It Almost all human beings have some fear about performing in public or being in a competitive situation. We’ve been working with the kids in classes for some time now to help them learn to use the tools they’ve acquired through karate training such as mindful breathing, grounded posture, positive self-talk, and visualization when they have to perform under pressure. If kids see these methods be effective in the dojo, they are more likely to use them in other stressful academic or performance situations they find themselves in.

The Opportunity to See How Practice and Ability Connect Developing the discipline to practice something on your own, without a teacher “forcing” you to do it, is a skill worth learning! In preparing for the tournament, our students have an opportunity to experience the joy of independent training. Those who do it see their skill improve and take pride in knowing their own work ethic led to the positive outcome of a solid performance.

The Lesson of Keeping One’s Center Regardless of Outcome The idea of getting a numerical score that is higher or lower than other competitors is just plain hard. We tell the kids, in preparing them beforehand and on tournament day, that everyone who shows up and participates is a winner. And everyone goes home with a medal celebrating their participation and strong spirit. But three individuals in each division, through a combination of talent, hard work and luck, will be called out as 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers. And everyone else will be a little sad that they aren’t in the winners’ circle that day.

We explain that this doesn’t mean that everyone else’s karate is not good. It just means that the judges thought those three individuals’ performances on this particular day were the best. We teach the kids to see triumph in keeping their composure, knowing they did their best, and being generous enough to congratulate their classmates who had a luckier day. And of course we know you parents will help them process their more complicated feelings at home when it’s all over.

The Pride that Comes from Sharing Your Art and Inspiring Others At our tournament, you and your kids will see strength, focus and beauty that will take your breath away. You’ll see the Adapted Seido Karate kids put it all out there, and if history repeats itself, go home with the gold sometimes. You’ll see Junior Black Belts display courage and athleticism that has been honed in some cases by more than a decade of dedicated practice. You’ll be moved by the love and dedication of our Adult volunteers who are there all day judging and doing scores of other jobs to make this day special for your kids.

I sincerely hope you will support your child’s participation and turn out for this wonderful community event, and I welcome your feedback on whether our annual kids’ tournament provided positive lessons to your young karateka. Osu! (Striving with Patience)


Last year's Junior Yellow/Advanced Yellow Belt group strives to keep their dignity, regardless of the outcome.