[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

CG, I'm sure you'd do fine. I saw tourneys as a way to see how my training measured up in a "live" situation. But, like any parent, I was way more nervous watching my daughter compete than for myself.

Sparring was a big part of our dojo structure, so it was no big deal for tourneys. Everyone wore head, hand/foot gear (women also wore chest padding).

So, if you opt out of going against an opponent, how will you earn the black belt? You've come so far. You've got to finish this off, right? lol

Yes, there's head gear, foot gear, and all kinds of padding, it's just that it's just padding. Still, there are exposed body parts, and one round-kick to the head, and guess what?... I don't want to experience that, nor do I want to give it to someone else. I'm all for sparring, but in my experience with my sensei, the tournaments are so much more different, and much more involved. I've been at it for almost 7-years, and it works great for working out and staying in shape.

I can still get my black belt when that time comes. Fighting an opponent is only one part of earning a black belt in his dojo. The other part is breaking two bricks with one piece of wood. He prefers both, but gives the option of opting-out of the fighting. The bricks and wood are mandatory. I know when that time comes, I'll be nervous about that alone. But fighting someone? Uh, uh, no way.