Author: Bret Gordon
I've said it before and I cannot stress this enough. Inclusion in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 is the worst thing that could ever happen to karatedo. Those that support it are the reason for our entire generation of athletes (I can't call them martial artists) placing so much emphasis on a piece of plastic rather than self preservation and improvement. Either they're not true karateka, or apparently I'm not, because I can't bear to see such a beautiful, practical discipline become bastardized and watered down for sport.
Taekwondo has been the butt of every McDojo joke in the martial arts, and apparently it has taught us nothing. Instead of a trophy or shiny medal, perhaps you really need a history lesson.
Taekwondo has been the butt of every McDojo joke in the martial arts, and apparently it has taught us nothing. Instead of a trophy or shiny medal, perhaps you really need a history lesson.
Following the end of Japanese occupation at the close of World War II, numerous Koreans returned home bringing with them the culture they had learned in Japan. This included martial arts. The original name used by these Korean karateka was Tang Soo Do, the literal translation of the original characters for karatedo (the way of the Chinese hand). Numerous kwans (schools) popped up and began teaching their various arts, the majority of which were Shotokan-based. The Korean government ordered the kwans to unify in 1959, and in an effort to distance themselves from their Japanese oppressors, they coined the name Taekwondo calling it a unique Korean martial art. Those who did not conform kept the name Tang Soo Do and it is here we begin to see the divergence between the two distinct systems.
For decades following, Taekwondo spread worldwide yet retained its roots as an effective martial art. Yet in 1973, the Korean Ministry of Sports established the World Taekwondo Federation to spread the sport aspect of Taekwondo, culminating with its inclusion in the 2000 Olympics. The quest for Olympic gold and worldwide acclaim was too much to resist, and school after school abandoned their roots in favor of chasing after it. The art was stripped of everything that wasn't "tournament effective" and an entire generation of practitioners were promoted to black belt ranks that couldn't even defend themselves at the elementary school they attended. There's a reason the organization is called WTF.
For decades following, Taekwondo spread worldwide yet retained its roots as an effective martial art. Yet in 1973, the Korean Ministry of Sports established the World Taekwondo Federation to spread the sport aspect of Taekwondo, culminating with its inclusion in the 2000 Olympics. The quest for Olympic gold and worldwide acclaim was too much to resist, and school after school abandoned their roots in favor of chasing after it. The art was stripped of everything that wasn't "tournament effective" and an entire generation of practitioners were promoted to black belt ranks that couldn't even defend themselves at the elementary school they attended. There's a reason the organization is called WTF.
The same story has been echoed in Judo, another Olympic sport since 1964. What Kano Jigoro envisioned for his martial art has been turned into a game with numerous sensei calling their dojo "gyms" or "clubs," and their students "players." How can anyone think this is a good idea for karatedo?! The suffix do means a way of life, a path to enlightenment, not the path to a gold medal. As martial artists, we are supposed to hold ourselves to a higher standard.
While there is a sport element to karatedo (and yes, I have competed on the world stage as well), it is only one piece of the puzzle. The entire purpose of martial arts competition is to expose us to other practitioners so that we can better ourselves. However, in our shallow society where men wearing helmets defending a football make more money than a man wearing a helmet defending our country, I guess it's only natural to strive for athletic prowess. The age of the warrior has passed. It has been happening for some time now, and this latest "development" will be the final blow. Karatedo will be bled out, stripped down and sold for parts like a junk car. Champions will display their medals above the mantle like a hunter's last kill. Those of us who cling on to the essence of the art, who strive to preserve the integrity of this cultural treasure for future generations and who refuse to cast aside hundreds of years of legitimate combative applications for the chance to win a medal will be left in the dust to be dug up by archaeologists centuries later.
While there is a sport element to karatedo (and yes, I have competed on the world stage as well), it is only one piece of the puzzle. The entire purpose of martial arts competition is to expose us to other practitioners so that we can better ourselves. However, in our shallow society where men wearing helmets defending a football make more money than a man wearing a helmet defending our country, I guess it's only natural to strive for athletic prowess. The age of the warrior has passed. It has been happening for some time now, and this latest "development" will be the final blow. Karatedo will be bled out, stripped down and sold for parts like a junk car. Champions will display their medals above the mantle like a hunter's last kill. Those of us who cling on to the essence of the art, who strive to preserve the integrity of this cultural treasure for future generations and who refuse to cast aside hundreds of years of legitimate combative applications for the chance to win a medal will be left in the dust to be dug up by archaeologists centuries later.
