Why We Love Training With Other Schools
At Northwest Wado-ryu, we’ve always believed that the martial arts community is stronger when we train together, even with schools we compete against.
Over the years, we’ve regularly invited students from other dojos around the area, from right here in Moscow, to Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston, and even as far as Walla Walla to join our competition training sessions. These aren’t just any athletes either, these are athletes we regularly compete against at tournaments, because at the end of the day, we are all on the same team.
When we bring in high-level guest instructors for big tournament prep, we don’t keep that knowledge locked away. We open the mats. We share the experience. Because friendly competition is great for pushing us to be better when it really counts.
Friendly Rivalry, Real Respect
Yes, we compete against each other at local tournaments. We cheer hard for our own students and celebrate their victories. But we also cheer for the kids from other schools when they do well. We shake hands, talk technique after matches, and often laugh together between rounds.
That’s the culture we want to build. Competition should make us sharper, not bitter. Training together reminds everyone that the person across from you isn’t the enemy, they’re a training partner who’s helping you improve.
Building Each Other Up
When athletes from different schools train side-by-side, something special happens. They push one another. They share tips. They build friendships that last beyond any single tournament. And when those same athletes step onto the international stage wearing the US flag, they’re not rivals anymore, they’re teammates, and this is when training together really counts.
We’re not enemies, we’re teammates across different karate styles. No one style is better than the other, just different. Each style has their strong points, their weak points, and when we train together, we grow together and become stronger.
The knowledge and experience we accumulate shouldn’t be hoarded. The more we all improve, the stronger the entire American karate community becomes.
A Better Way to Compete
In a world that often tells us to look out only for ourselves, we choose a different path. We choose collaboration. We choose respect. We choose to build each other up instead of tearing each other down.
Whether you’re a Wado student or train in a completely different style, if you’re serious about growing as a martial artist, you’re welcome on our mats.
Because at the end of the day, we’re not just trying to win local trophies. We’re trying to develop better people, and stronger representatives for our country.
Here’s to more shared training sessions, more friendships across dojos, and more American athletes standing proud on the world stage.
