As the IBJJF world masters currently takes place in Las Vegas, some of you practitioners over 30 may have thought about signing up. Now this is one of BJJ’s biggest competitions even though it’s only for master divisions athletes, with top level athletes who are still killing it in the adult divisions even though their age places them in the “masters” category. But even though you are a certain age, you shouldn’t shy away from competition. Here are a few reasons why.
Reason 1 – Better your game
Test yourself to better yourself, there is no better place to find the holes in your game than in a competition. Of course hard training in the academy can and will make you better, but if you want to take your game to the next level, competition is probably one of the best ways to do that. When you are under pressure it will expose you which can be a scary feeling to some, but don’t think of it that way. Think that it is bringing out the best in you because it really is, and if you don’t get your hand raised it doesn’t matter because you learned and now have something that you can go back and work on. The challenge is worth much more than the medal; you learn from it which ultimately will make you better.
Reason 2 – Give the example
You may not be a veteran in Jiu jitsu but you are a veteran at life, they don’t call it master’s division for nothing. Show the younger guys in your academy that excuses are not to be made. You put it all on the line regardless of your age. You may be only 30 or 31 and in great shape and if that’s the case than this doesn’t apply to you. But if you’re well into the Master’s 3 divisions and up, show the young bucks that you’re not ready to hang it up just yet.
Reason 3- Support your teammates
Of course you can simply go to the tournament and cheer for teammates from the stands, and that is great and should be done regardless, just to show support for your school and friends. But when someone signs up for a competition, they don’t just sit on their couch, they need to get on the mats and train so they can be as ready as possible. Support your teammates in their preparation for the competition, train with them, talk about strategy, work together as a unit to prepare one another and since you’re getting that training in you might as well compete. It brings confidence to yourself and your teammates when you show up as a group to a tournament knowing you all worked for it and are ready.
Reason 4 – Motivate yourself
Sometimes it can be hard to get yourself into the academy, you’re not always motivated, you had a hard day at work, whatever the case may be, even though you love training it can get hard sometimes, mentally. A good way to break that frame of mind is to set a goal for yourself. There’s a tournament next month, mark it on your calendar, cancel what you are doing that day, make room in your schedule to train every day and get ready for that tournament. Also, don’t wait until the last minute to sign up because you have to think about it or whatever excuse you want to make. Sign up right away so that you are fully committed, that’s a goal you have set and are motivated to go and get it for yourself.
Reason 5 – Why not?
There’s really not much to lose and so much to gain. Most local tournaments go for about 40-50 bucks to register, the bigger IBJJF ones are a little pricier, especially if you wait until the last minute to register but they also don’t come around as often. You just need to go out there knowing that you don’t have anything to prove to anyone. So pick a tournament, get training and do your best knowing it’s only going to make you better both in BJJ and as a person all together.
