More than 170 competitors gathered at Clyde Ironworks on Sunday to take part in the Spirit of the Arts tournament.
The tournament featured participants ranging in age from 6 to 75 and featured all types of martial arts.
With creative musicals where contestants perform to music, weapons, and team events, the possibilities are limitless.
But why do events keep people coming back and engaging?
“Well, for one thing, I think what we're doing together is a personal thing,” said Stonehouse Martial Arts teacher Stephen Stein, who organized the event. “So it's not as competitive as a team sport where you're always competing to make the team or not make the team. It's an individual event, but you can't really do it alone. “They need it. They're very sociable. I think that's what makes them live longer.”
“Pride, honor, control, it all boils down to that,” said Ryan Niesen, a second-degree black belt in Northern Karate. “I keep doing it. I told my wife today that I don't really want to go, but I want my kids to keep going. I want people to have this experience. Martial arts has been around for many years. It has given me so much and I want to pass that on to the next generation.”
With more than 170 contestants in attendance, the Spirit of the Arts event was a showcase for the judges and those who stopped by to establish a routine and get a workout in.
Karate and the various forms within it are rooted in respect, which is reflected on the mat and in the lives of each competitor alike.
“Respect is so deeply rooted in martial arts that it is taught from day one as a student in school, and it is carried into events like this, and one of the things that makes it so great for children in particular to attend. I think it's one,” added Patrick Childs, a sixth-degree black belt. “I often hear that kids who do well in school are often also involved in martial arts. So it extends outside of school.”
With music, swords, and belts ranging from beginner yellow belt to black belt, the judges are looking for a variety of things.
“We're looking for good technique, control, power and snap, and a little bit of showmanship,” said Niesen, one of the judges. “So when they come on, there's a good intensity power and you can hear them screaming in the background, which always adds a little bit of flair to it.”
No matter how young or old a competitor is, they can never stop learning.
“We never stop being students,” Stein said. “So, in my case, I'm considered one of the teachers, but in reality, I'm just a student who has been around for a long time and is still teaching. But basically, I'm just a student who has been around for a long time and is still teaching. They are students just like people.”
