Should I compete in martial arts tournaments again?

I semi retired in 2000 aged 27 after 11 years of competing. I felt I retired too young, but did so because I suffered a brain aneurysm that year. I also stopped tarining at the karate club I had been at since 1992, returning briefly in 2003 only to find I had been stripped of my grades and had to start from scratch. This was not acceptable to me, I was unhappy about it. I then trained in other martial arts and trained also in China and Japan with real masters. It was a privelege for me to do so. Recently I was contacted by promoters of an all styles tournament, asking me if I would like to participate. I would like tom having had the all clear from the hospital this year, but as I now teach martial arts (since 2007) , it is years since I sparred with anyone here and my students are beginner level. I am interested, but don't want to be humilated. And yet for my level I would be expected to enter at black belt and above level. So is it foolish for me to do this?

Should I compete in martial arts tournaments again?
Go for it dude!! Else you'll always wonder what would have happened if you did. Sounds like the passion is in you.
Reply:...
Reply:I think you should as long as it isn't going to kill you (not srue what and anurism actually is). Losing is not always a bad thing.
Reply:It never hurts to try, if you don't do well then you will know what you need to work on for the next tournament. Tournaments are not only competitions, they are also learning experiences.





Good Luck!
Reply:Did the chinese masters teach you how they run on air?


if they did, go and join the tournaments
Reply:i think it may be a bit foolish considering you were in hospital because of a brain injury, but, however, it is your brain not mine and i think you should do what you want....................best wishes
Reply:It's up to you. Head damage is scarry stuff, and you don't want to mess with that stuff. Look at 49th QB STeven Young, or boxing great Mohamed Ali.
Reply:I dont think so. If its something you like to do, then do it. I got my black belt when i was 12 years old. (4 years ago) and i quit after that. I didnt want to because it was something that i enjoyed doing a lot but the school i was going to got too expensive so my parents had to take me and my brother out. I really think you should just do it!





Oh yea......Good luck if you do!!!
Reply:Honestly you will get hurt. The only question is how bad and if it is worth it to you. Think about it and make the best decision for you.


I was in a similar situation I stopped and my friend went back into competition. No horror stories to tell for either of us, we are still friends and did what was right for each of us. He only won a small competition after his return and several tries.
Reply:It sounds like you have something to prove. Do you? Why are you unfulfilled with your current situation? Why would you want to get in the ring after a brain aneurysm?





You are at a different phase of your career - accept it for what it is and embrace it. You have the opportunity to teach your students the wealth of knowledge you've gained from many years and many masters...that's an awesome thing to do and not many have that kind of experience.





If you want to spar and test yourself, get a a few sparring partners that are at your level.
Reply:No!!!





You don't need to compete in tournaments to prove yourself your knowledge and qualifications entitle you to teach and coach so don't reproach yourself ,pass on your knowledge to your students and enjoy your art. tournaments don't mean jack in the street and most people if honest join to gain some form of confidence and self defence skills.





Former jiu-jitsu coach,Karateka,Boxer and ex bouncer.





Best wishes and good luck :)
Reply:Nah id give it a miss if I was you because of your previous injury, let your students do the walk for you and what i mean by that is train your students to compete in your steps, its a pretty good feeling when someone you have helped train competes too.





I had a similar experience after a few years away from competing and when i did go back in 2000 i got put back in the same division as i was in before i left, didn't do to well.





And if you do decide to enter, get plenty of practise in with people at competition level.





All the best for which decision you choose.
Reply:Go for it. You never know what will happen. I know that you are kindda scared to go to the tournament. But go for it. It shouldnt hurt you. You may never know until you go for your goal.





I tore my ACL and MCL 6 years ago. I knew i couldn't g back to Taekwondo. But i am now in the sport And i love it.





My instructor always tell us students that if something hurts us that we need to tell him. Because it will only put us back if we didnt tell him. So my advice to you is go for the goal. You were ment to go to the tournament and win. just believe in yourself. Dont go just because you have too. Go because you want too.





Good luck
Reply:I'm not sure what you are asking. If you have the experience you know what it takes to stack the odds in your favour, the importance of preparation, sparring, training hard and getting back to being on top of the game.





You sound to me like you are maybe hoping for someone to talk you out of it or something?





I'm no help there, I say go for it.





Let me offer you some advice though. Whatever it is you fear first, go and do lots of it, then tell no one you even did it. Whether that is Muay thai, or MMA training, or whatever.





In some circles I told everyone I was just a boxer and everyone was amazed no one ever took me down in a brawl. I also did high level greco wrestling was the point.





But I attributed it to boxing.





Stack the odds, win, write history how you want it is what I am saying.