The Karate Kid

Linus started karate about a year and a half ago.  It's been really good for him.  Karate helps Linus to focus, breathe, and calm himself.  His teachers run a tight ship.  Linus does well with systems that provide for advancement and that allow him to have some control over his life.  The karate belt process was made for kids like him.

This weekend Linus participated in his first competition.  Linus is currently a yellow belt.  He has worked hard and gets to class early just so he can get extra training from his teacher.  To my surprise Linus will be testing for his advanced yellow in a week, about 4-6 months earlier than I thought he would test.

The competition was open to all students who knew at least one kata.  Linus chose to do Taikyoku #3. He quietly rehearsed his moves in his head while waiting his turn.

Linus did very well.  He knew his kata and performed it with precision and confidence.

Linus was one of only two yellow belts in attendance so he automatically advanced to the finals.  The other yellow belt was at least 3, if not 5 years older than Linus.  The older yellow belt struggled during his preliminary round and was allowed to choose a kata to compete against Linus.  Of course he chose a kata that Linus knew, but had not been practicing regularly.  Linus did okay.  He struggled, but never gave up, corrected his mistakes and kept going.  I was so proud of him.

It was a split decision of 2-3.  I told Linus that while the older boy may have done better in the finals, Linus did better overall. That may have contributed to the judges' decisions.  Interestingly, during the green belt competition there was another split decision.  The two judges who voted for Linus were the same two who voted for the girl who I thought should have won.

Linus handled himself well.  I could tell he was upset, but he held back his tears and took his place with the other students against the wall.  After all the kata competitions, Linus and I stayed to watch a little bit of the sparring.  You have to be a green belt to spar.  Linus cannot wait.

Before we left, one of the judges came over and congratulated Linus on the way he conducted himself as well as his katas.  If anything, that older boy better be worried because he almost got bested by a very determined 7 year old.

I pointed out to Linus that at this rate, he is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the karate world in just a few years.  Hi-yah!