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"Look Beyond the Trophy" 
by Senior Master William J. Babin
7th Degree Black Belt

I like competition. For many years, the lure of a trophy, the prestige of winning, and the sheer intensity of competition have driven me to lift weights, to run up and down stairs, to practice kicks, and even to spar with some intense people like Eric Stelling, Gail Atwill, and Mark Kaup Lee, not to mention my black belt peers from around the country, like Master Steve Westbrook, Master Todd Droege, Master Emory Morris, Mr. Greg Diaz, Master Daniel Longoria, and others.

And I've won a few--THREE first place forms trophies with a 999 score, two first place sparring awards, and being ranked in the world top ten FOUR times. Although the title of world or state champion always eluded me, I was honored to coach three people to world champion and over 15 to state champion. You could say that I like tournaments and competition. Especially as a black belt, competition provided frequent goals for me because rank promotion was always years apart. I could always count on competing three or four times a year.

Upon receiving my 6th degree, I ended my competitive career because Grandmaster Lee wants high ranks to look toward other areas, especially instruction. 6th degrees do not compete at all. As I looked back, I began to examine more closely the nature of ATA competition and finally realized I needed to look beyond the trophy.

Most black belts, even kids who only compete locally, find themselves challenged by the same people in most tournaments. I made many good friends in this way, often with some very funny connections. For example, I first met Todd Droege, now Master Droege, in a 2nd degree competition in which he twist kicked me in the chin in 1983. That was before safety gear, too! I also came to know Emory Morris, Steve Westbrook, Jim Richard, Carl Flotka, Jay Kohl, Daniel Longoria, and Greg Diaz in this way. Although each one of them did not twist kick me too! I went to every tournament, and they were always there. We became very good friends and intense competitors.

Especially this past June at the World Championships when I tested for 6th degree, I realized how much friendship, respect, and admiration were coming my way. I was waiting to begin my last 5th degree competition when I began chatting with a fellow competitor. He jokingly said, "You tested last night. You’re competing today, too?" He thought that since I was ending my career as a competitor, I would skip the last tournament and focus on my testing. He gave me the highest complement by acknowledging that my presence would make his path to first place more difficult. Then at instructor camp, when I tested again, BY MYSELF IN FRONT OF GRANDMASTER AND 130 INSTRUCTORS, I was overwhelmed by the love and support that came to me.

As I begin my work as a 6th degree, I realize now more than ever that competition has been a way of earning respect, sharing friendship, and giving admiration. So today, as we come together to compete, look beyond the trophy.

Look at your sparring partner.

Look for the admiration in his smile. . . .

Feel the friendship in his handshake. . . .

See the respect in his bow.

But even better than looking for this in your partner, BE the person who gives an admiring smile, BE the person who extends the friendly handshake, and BE the person who demonstrates a respectful bow.

Go ahead, pursue that trophy, go for first place. But regardless of the outcome, look beyond the trophy.

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