Competition

I have been talking to people lately about competing. While some are keen to compete, others are very hesitant. The reasons vary and sometimes can be contingent on where you are in your martial arts journey. Beginners have different reasons to stay away from competition than a more experienced practitioner will have. 

I will look at BJJ/Wrestling competitions for this discussion, as compared to MMA/Kickboxing. I use this example because you run a lower risk of being seriously hurt in BJJ (as long as you tap when needed) and wrestling than in MMA and/or kickboxing. Additionally, the worst that can possibly happen in competition, happens in training all the time; you get tapped. In wrestling, getting pinned is the worst outcome in competition, and this again, happens in training. Compared to kickboxing and MMA – the worst thing is being knocked out and that does not happen in training, or at least it shouldn’t happen (especially leading up to a fight).

At the lower levels (in terms of experience), what seems to hold people back is the fear of losing. As they get beaten in training more often than not, it easy to believe that is the inevitable outcome in competition. In reality, this is not the case as you are up against others of the same level. It is also the way to get the most improvement – if you had to recall your training session from 4 months ago, you would have no idea what happened. Compare that to a competition; I guarantee you will remember exactly what happened even if it was a year ago. As a lower rank, there is no real pressure on you. The only pressure is the pressure you put on yourself. What I have heard people say about this is that they don’t want to let the club or instructor down but as you well know that just is not the case. The competition is all about getting better and learning (whether that be about the technical aspects of the sport or learning about yourself). Yes, it is easier to compete if you get success but regardless if you win or lose, you are learning and improving.

People who have just competed talk about the nerves they experience. It is quite an interesting conversation to have because if you are wrestling at training and someone new walks in and you wrestle, chances are you would not be nervous. Generally speaking, at training, there isn’t as much of the win or lose factor at play. However, when you are on a competition mat against the same person the nerves show up. Even though it is the same person and same sport, the setting has changed and now there are people watching with strict win or lose implications added. Some people don’t deal with the nerves well. And that is also OK; sometimes competition isn’t for everyone. In saying that though, competing could be a good chance to learn about yourself, developing tools and skills to overcome adversity and also learn to handle the nerves better (and even turn it to your advantage). Others though, really come to life and flourish under the competition lights. You don’t really know which one will turn up until you’re in that situation though. 

As the ranks/experience increase, there are less competitors. I put this is down to two reasons. Generally speaking, there are fewer high ranks, and, secondly, because by this stage, most people have decided whether they like to compete or not. As we live in a very small country, it is hard for people at the higher level to find opponents and I am not sure if it is a cause and effect thing. It could be that since there aren’t many people competing, less competitors enter, due to seeing familiar faces all the time which makes regular athletes lose interest in entering. If there were more people competing, then there would be more experienced people to compete against which may cause more experienced people to compete. Some of the higher-level people don’t compete as they feel they have the club on their back – which is a shame, but understandable. 

Especially in BJJ, it would be awesome watching your coach compete against other people of that level. When you have seen the person in your club that smashes everyone compete and possibly lose, you tend not to think any less of them – you just think that other person must be awesome. It is very eye opening seeing top people compete and lets you know how far down the food chain we are (but also opens up the realm of possibility; it can be very inspiring). It is easier said than done, but for the top people, it shouldn’t be a big deal as elite people compete against each other all around the world every day and someone has to lose. Therefore, a defeat doesn’t mean the end of the world, just someone got the better of you that day. As someone said to me, “if the worst thing that happens in your life is that you lose a fight, then you have had a great life.” If losing is the worst thing that happens in a week or even a day that is still a pretty good day.

I understand that competition isn’t for everyone, but I recommend that you give at least one a go. Especially in wresting and BJJ as losing in those is not that bad. You also get more than one match on the day and you get a lot of learning in that small time. There are those people that just feed off competition and do as many as they can, they are a special breed and you either have that drive or you don’t. Over all the years I have been doing this stuff, I have never seen anyone regret the decision to compete, usually they do better than they thought they would. So, if you are thinking of giving a comp a go – do it; you will be glad that you did.    

Gareth Lewis
Head MMA Instructor