A Truly Magical Martial Arts Experience

While some travelled from as far away as Colombia, Puerto Rico, Great Britain and the Far East, there was even a competitor from the Yakima Native American Nation and from all corners of the United States. Disney’s Martial Arts Festival features many different tournaments. 

For the uninitiated it must have seemed like organized chaos. In reality, there are so many events going on that I  wondered how the competitors were able to sit still while waiting to show off  the skills they had aquired through many afternoons and Saturday mornings at the dojo.  As a martial artist, instructor and proud father of competitors I can tell you that the answer is discipline. 

These young competitors are conditioned to “switch it on” when need be, and off while waiting, it’s an amazing accomplishment by these young athletes. Take for example my own kids, Nikolas & Zachary, after practicing their weapon and traditional forms all Friday morning, they went through the registration process, went to the hotel to get ready and returned to the venue for the competition that began at 5 p.m. 

Their first of two events started at 10:20 pm and for 11-year-old twins who would typically be in bed at that time something changed.  Their facial expressions, their demeanor and tired body language completely transformed to a state where they looked like they had been there merely for minutes. They competed alert and ready. 

Once the event was completed, “shut down” and the waiting continued for their next event.  At 11:15 pm the tag team competition was to begin and once again it was on.  There were no competitors for the twins in the 11-year- old division and they opted to up in class to fight a 15- and a 17-year-old instead. The night ended for us way past midnight and if you are wondering about the outcome of the competition for the twins, they became the National Champions in Team Weapons and Team Fighting.