Open Form Mercer County Karate Championships 2008

[Smusicism]

Very pretty. Use it in a fight. That's what forms are for. My school is traditional and we always beat the XMA guys at our tournaments or other tournaments we go to.

[flipster2461]

i think you were amazing in the video. you are going to be my inspiration for my open form in may 2009. super job :-)

[iflyforsj]

i've done a naska tournament and i got spanked lol but it doesnt look like i'll be cmpeting for a whilei just got injured last night....but i'm located in california, so it doesnt look like we would compete lol

[palacio154]

Sorry about your injury, but there will always be more tournaments after you heal. Win or lose doesn't matter. Everyone respects someone who tried their best.

[iflyforsj]

yup yup...so how long you guys been training/tricking?

i been training for 6 years but tricking for 2

[iflyforsj]

where was this tournament held? cuz i'm kinda the same way, theres not a lot of good extreme forms at the tournaments i go to...

[palacio154]

It was held in Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ. It's between Trenton and Princeton.

[palacio154]

You didn't mention where you're located but it seems you want more action. I suggest you check out the big promotions like NAFMA, NASKA, and KRANE if they promote tournaments in your area. These usually attract a lot of serious competitors including extreme. You might even see or compete against those who've gotten lots of media recognition.

[gojuryudan]

can I ask a few things... Do you know your routine before you do it? or do you just kind of freestyle it? also did your Karate club teach you the flips and stuff or do you do gymnastics as well?

[Tripleflash123]

You should DEFINITLEY know what you are doing before you do it...although sometimes I mess up and just do a random combo until I figure out what the hell to do. And I used to take gymnastics so I have less trouble learning tricks but most of the flips can be taught at a karate studio depending on what style you take.

[gojuryudan]

I only ask about the flips and stuff because I do very traditional karate, and their are no flips or gymnastics really as they dont have much bearing on a real situation... however they are proper cool :) how do I learn them and how long will it take... I train hard and I learn fast!

[Tripleflash123]

Well you can try learning yourself online through videos and tutorials or you can possibly find someone who knows how to do them and can teach you. Try a local gymnastics academy or karate studio who has some sort of demo team. Anyways, it takes a long time to get good at some of these tricks...I'd give it atleast a year.

[palacio154]

I agree you should be well prepared. You should also get a "feel" of the ring you'll be competing in. I was waiting my turn in a ring and the competitor before me broke his ankle landing on a single handspring because the spot he landed on wasn't completely level. The low spot was covered by a rug so it "looked" flat. He knew his stuff but didn't know the floor. So before you compete make sure you look over any ring, walk on it and spot check for abnormalities.