Ethics Question

[Hardball]

O.k. heres the deal, There is a Judo tourney on Nov. 4th. No Randori only Kata. I want to compete but their is a chance I could be competing against my ex instructor. My ex instructor took me from JJJ White Belt to Shodan. He just received his Sandan and I am trying for my Nidan. The tourney would be good exposure for me but I really don't want to compete against my Former Instructor. My new instructor is a 9th and is my instructors, instructor. Make sense? What are my ethical issues here? There is really no guarantee that I will face my instructor; just an outside chance. I switched instructors in hopes of making Nidan more quickly, hence my instuctor at the time was only a Nidan.

Thanks for your constructive input.

[treelizard]

Just go. You can always back out later.

[IPON]

I want to compete but their is a chance I could be competing against my ex instructor. What are my ethical issues here?

There are no ethical issues only issues of preference. I see no reason not to compete. When you enter a competition you could fight anyone and everyone on the tatami is your opponent family friend or former teacher and your former instructor should understand this. If you can defeat him it will validate the reason for leaving if you can't well he was your instructor. However, if you decide to fight stay true to your conviction and try to win. If you continue to have doubts you can always forfit.

[Eddie_Boston]

DDUUUDDEEEE!!

have some respect. you dont compete against your instructor. Thats like Daniel-san vs. Mr.Miagi. You're a shodan, I would expect more from someone your rank. Prove your a real blackbelt, bow out.

[treelizard]

What's the % chance you'll have to face him of all the people there?

[IPON]

Its a former instructor, but more importantly it is a judo tournament. It would be different if he challenged his instructor. This is not an issue of respect. Again if he is still uncomfortable just forfit the match

[osopardo]

It's just kata fer heaven's sake! Bring 'im your best game! You realize how subjective kata judging can be?!?

Randori would be another matter, though (for me personally, anyway. I'd be skeered! )

[neb1979]

Go for it,

This could be seen as a time for your previous instructor to see how well he really did teach you, for if you win he could be proud that you have passed his skill level, which in my eyes is exactly what a Sensei's goal of teaching is, to help improve the students skill level to a point that were one day they will pass their own level of skill so the art keeps evolving and continuously gets better.

Cheers
Ben

[Hardball]

Thanks for all the different replies. If I decide to compete I will just Bow Out of a match with him. Knowing his personality, I shouldn't compete with him. Yes, I am on good terms with him but being an Asian instructor he is stuck in his ways and traditions. I'm sure it will be plenty of other people to compete with. In fact, My ex instructor doen't even want my students competing against his students. He considers them all of the same Dojo. Again thanks for all the different view points--each and every one of you helped me in my decision and future decisions. By-the-way, My ex instructor is 5 years younger than me.

[jubaji]

What the ^&*$%$ is the problem? If its a competition, go compete. If HE has a problem with that, screw him, he should stay home. There's no 'moral' element to it.

[Sagacious Lu]

I've got to agree with Mike and Jubaji on this, but I can see where keeping the peace might be more important to you too.

[Hardball]

kata competition, no matter who's competing, and I think your old instructor is really limiting his people and yours by disallowing friendly competition, but that's just me.

My Friend, I hope you are not thinking about Karate Kata. In Judo Kata competition you have to Uke also-that's where things could get ugly.

[treelizard]

P.S.
Bad Treelizard! You don't back out after you've showed up to compete! That's horrible advice, and the kind of advice that sends a competitor into the arena making excuses!

LOL, no I'm just a few steps ahead of you is all. I figured once he signed up he wouldn't back out...and that he likely wouldn't have to compete against his teacher anyway. And there are no bad treelizards.

[Hardball]

Hardball,
I do understand that Judo Kata involve a partner. But it's not like it's a fight. Even if it were randori, it's still a sport. I don't take it personally when a friend really nails me in a game of pick up football in our local park. I don't take it personally when they rock me with a good punch or combination in sparring. I guess, to me, a sport is just friendly competition. I spar with my gym-mates all the time. Why shouldn't I compete with them? I mean, it's not as if Judo is a team sport...

Great answer. Yea it's weird. Part of the reason is that My Instructor took me from white belt to black and another part of the problem is that he is 5 years younger than me with a very very big ego. He got is Nidan in 1989 and is just getting is Sandan this year. He is very bitter about not getting promoted more. Imagine that, Plus he has other Black Belts that are still Shodan. If I get promoted to nidan by going around him to the grandmaster............well, you get the picture.

[Hardball]

It's hard because I like the guy as a person but I DO want to advance at my own pace not some politically oriented pace. It always reminds me of Lee and Inosanto with Lee being the younger man but Guru Dan going on to Greatness.

Footnote: Not intending to ride the reputations of Guru Lee or Guru Inosanto I just like the analogy with the age differences.