by Sean Wong

“There are no such things as bad students, just bad instructors.”

I first heard this saying decades ago and when it was recited again a few years back by my London colleagues it reminded me of why I continue my quest to improve my craft as an professional martial arts instructor. I appreciate the impact of this idiom because it suggests that it is up to the instructor to elevate first his or her skills in order to elevate their students. But do all students of good instructor become good athletes?

Studies show that there are 4 things needed to be in place for podium achievement. These are genetic ability, appropriate coaching methods, environmental or cultural atmosphere, and the use of technology. Therefore a good coach coupled with an athlete with unsuitable genetic ability may just produce a mediocre results. Even if the athlete’s goals are not for podium placement, these 4 factors are still relevant.

Let’s take a look into these 4 important factors.

Genetic Ability or Predisposition
Not all dogs are Retrievers and not all Retrievers make good guide dogs. The same can be stated about us as human beings and as of right now there is only one Usain Bolt and one Michael Phelps. Both fantastic athletes in their individual sport of personal excellence. Karate is unique that it highlights both a combative and artistic events. Each requiring a talents of those with its own genetic disposition. For example, those with long arms and legs in proportion to there weight along with cardiovascular endurance do well in Kumite (sparring) while conversely those with a high anaerobic ability do well in Kata.

Coaching
Every military force requires soldiers and generals. Great generals plan, inspire, and lead their troops into battle. They know how to reward successes and recover from losses. A good coach is very much a general of sport. The coach brings a toolbox of worldly experience with him and chooses the appropriate hammer or lubricant to bring out the best in athlete at the most appropriate time. A good coach understands the rules of game and when to apply them. Without a coach and athlete is simply racecar without a driver.

Environmental and Cultural Atmosphere
If we swapped a Kenyan marathoner with a Canadian rower would the Canadian still be a good rower if he trained and grew up in Kenya. Likely not. Kenyans run everywhere. Through generations of this cultural way of travel they, as a populus, have been able to promote long distance running as an inherent part of their culture. Therefore from birth, they have been exposed to long distance running as if it was a birth right. This cultural backing of one athlete supports the dreams of an entire nation.

Technology
Whether one chooses a lighter running shoe, kettle bells over dumb bells, or free weights over resistance machines, the use of technology is an important part of making the best use of training time and increasing performance on competition day. Purposes for choosing different technologies is to create an efficient use of workout time and a safer way to train. Reduced injuries will result into more time in the adaptation workout phase.

Another example of a great use of technology today is in the Paralympic Games. Oscar “Blade Runner” Pistorius, also known as “the fastest man with no legs” uses his carbon fiber legs to propel his sprinting forward to challenge his countrymen’s fastest the two-legged sprinters. These same carbon fiber blades cane be used to help all amputees. Also, reporters pointed out the the track composite material used in athletics competition in Bejing was unique enough to produce a “fast” running surface. Thus the use of technology has not only helped in training but also in allowing the human body to perform beyond existing limitations.

Karate is the perfect sport and I am prepared to defend this admittedly biased opinion. Karate challenges athletes of all ages. At its barest level, it requires no ball, special field, bat, or even shoes. It is can be practiced in solitude or interactive and either indoors or out of doors. From the deep, introspective, and thought provocative sense to it down-and-dirty, practical, and hands-on nature, Karate is fully appreciated by its practitioners and on looking fans alike. There are no gender or economic boundaries. Lastly, it elevates the mental and physical state of its participants. However, the achievement of a Karate athlete today relies on more than just the relationship between the student and sensei. It also includes technology within the dojo and culture within the dojo.

Footnote:
In the same that certain factors need to be in place for a podium placement for an athlete, the same can be said about coaches and also any non-sport position. Even in business, someone with the right gene pool, in the right setting, with the right support system, and the right set of tools achieve milestones of successes during their lifetime.