Boy was I wrong!!! The Importance of Attending Tournaments

ParentingTournamentsYouth SportsSelf-DefenseSouthlakeKids Martial Arts

Feb 13

I wanted to take a moment to share with you the experience and growth we had at the recent National Tournament in January 2014. This was my son's first tournament and he is a Senior Purple Belt. Taekwondo is new to me. I say this because other sports are so straightforward with practice followed by games ending in wins and losses.

My son is not very athletically gifted so we chose Taekwondo in hopes of building balance and confidence. He does great in class but has struggled at large Belt Tests due to his anxiety with crowds. His last test was the gut wrenching because he struggled, cried and ultimately did not pass. This left me wanting to run to him and left him wanting to run from the sport. I made him hang in there and he did pass the next test. But he lost the desire and I have been struggling to keep him going convinced this commitment would build character.

So when he asked to go to a tournament my heart sank. I was terrified that he would choke and we would take more steps back. Boy was I wrong!!! Instead he had an eye on the medal, enjoyed hanging out with teammates and ultimately took a first place medal!!! Ironically, I also felt more a part of the team, bonding with other parents and cheering on our fellow team members. All in all it was a great day and now my son can't wait to do better and go to another tournament.

I truly wish we had done this sooner. Even if he competed without winning a medal I am convinced the energy of the experience would have left us feeling more a part of the team and nourished the excitement that keeps our kid going. A lesson learned. I avoided tournaments because I thought my son was not ready. In reality he would have been ready sooner and I am convinced we would have avoided some of the drama from his lack of interest. We are on board now!

Thank You!

Tina Capps, mom of a future Black Belt