The martial arts are bifurcated. A significant percentage of our community loves competition, while probably a similar portion has no interest. If you’re a tournament lover, read on to learn about a unique circuit you might want to join. If you’re a tournament hater, you’ll want to read on, too — you just might change your mind afterward.
Although martial arts schools licensed under the American Taekwondo Association are independently owned and operated, most encourage students to compete, and it’s for one simple reason. “We have found statistically that people who actively compete tend to stay in our program a whole lot longer,” says Chief Master Mark Sustaire, a member of the ATA’s Tournament Council. The longer they stay, the more chances they have to learn self-defense skills and crucial life lessons, of course.
“Competition teaches a lot of life skills about confidence and self-control,” says Chief Master Betsy Stevens, International Chairman of Tournaments for the ATA. “There’s also
