· Competition creates urgency to perfect techniques in a student’s forms

· Students are able to judge progress with other competitors

· Students gain confidence by trying something they are afraid of

· Competitors feel part of a team as they compete to make our studio #1

· Students gain confidence to perform in front of others

· Competition is an excellent learning tool

· It inspires excellence, giving each competitor a chance to shine

· All competitors get to attend our competition team party after each competition

Every 8-10 weeks, students of KYK Taekwondo Center, participate in tournament competitions. These daylong events present an excellent opportunity for martial artists young and old to show off their abilities in a safe and controlled environment. Students compete for prizes including medals, trophies, jackets and even cash! As Americans, we all know the value of competition; in the martial arts, competition serves a wide variety of purposes. The exciting sport setting is great for developing confidence and a winning attitude. Tournaments are like the big game; the team practices hard for weeks, now here is their chance to see how good they’ve become by trying their skills out against other the team. Tournaments are also a great time to come out and support the team, either by participating or simply by cheering in the stands.

In short, competing at tournaments is great for boosting self-esteem! Whether the competitor wins a trophy or not, they are all winners because they went to the tournament and tried their hardest.

New students who have never competed before are encouraged to go and watch first, then go and try their best at the very next tournament. Family and friends are encouraged to come and watch. Children feel confident when they have a team of supporters in the stands cheering for them!

Special discounts are available to parents and family members who volunteer to be a timekeeper, scorekeeper or security. A special training class is held 2 weeks before the competitions to become certified.

Because of the widely varied interests and strengths of taekwondo students, tournaments affiliated with KYK Taekwondo Center Taekwondo and the CTA (Caliifornia Taekwondo Association) offer a variety of divisions. At KYK Taekwondo Center Taekwondo we pride ourselves on versatility, being able to compete in Poomsae and Sparring. Beginning students (white and yellow belts) are encouraged to compete in Poomsae only. Intermediate and up (green to black belts) are encouraged to compete in as many divisions as they can; that diversity can only make them better at what they love!

Below is a breakdown of divisions you will find at Caliifornia Taekwondo Association tournaments.

“Students that compete on a regular basis excel extremely faster and more proficiently. Competition is definitely a positive activity and beneficial experience for all martial artists.”

What Can I Compete In?

Poomse- A poomsae is a routine of self-defense moves put together in a pre arranged pattern. Competitors are judged by certified officials and scored based on their balance, focus, power, intensity and degree of difficulty. Beginners traditionally perform the “Taeguek’s” and then progress to the Yu Dan Ja Poomsae. The type of form or poomsae that is allowed is based on the students belt level. The Poomsaes are handed down through the generations from Korea. They emphasize power, precise technique, land intensity.

Olympic Sparring- a special game where martial arts skills are used to win points by kicking or punching your opponent. Matches are won when a participant gets twelve or the highest score at the end of 2 rounds lasting two minutes. Black Belt matches have 3 rounds. There are four corner judges and a referee to call each match and there needs to be a majority decision for a point to be called. Score one point for a punch to the body, one point for a kick to the body or two points for a kick to the head. There is no face punching allowed in Olympic sparring and chest protectors and helmets are required for all competitors. Good sportsmanship and a high level of respect are a must for this division.

Caliifornia Taekwondo Association Point System