Muawiyah's First Kumite Competition: UKM Sunday 31/5/26 🥋 - a proud moment of our son's growth mindset

 

The Journey of a thousand miles begins with One Step (Insha Allah 😊) 

Alhamdulillah today was the first time our 8yo Muawiyah participated in the Kumite (sparring) category for Karate. 

Coming from different states across Malaysia, it was really impressive to watch these little warriors compete in Kumite, which tests their distance management, timing, and strategy.

Muawiyah lost his first round, defeated out by an experienced competitor who used lots of high attacks and scored big with his head shots.

But to us parents, it was a huge victory in our eyes. 

It was never about "winning". It was about showing up, taking the first step to challenge Muawiyah outside of his comfort zone, and proving to himself, that he has got what it takes. 

Just a few weeks ago, he was totally hesitant to do Kumite... The mere mention of "Kumite" and "competition" in the same sentence would send him into a loud protest. His comfort zone was Kata (forms/patterns), where he was pretty good at it and wanted to stay. He didn't like the discomfort or pain of getting hit, and also the peer pressure since his most of his dojo friends (including his cousin) preferred to focus on Kata. 

But therein lies the power of a strong teacher. His sensei Zad saw potential in Muawiyah, believing he was athletic, threw strong hits and had good agility instincts. His reluctance gradually grew into "ok lah, let's try".

But the proud father moment that impresses me is that Muawiyah didn't just begrudgingly phone it in, just to please his parents or sensei. He really committed to practicing for this Kumite, and throughout the fight, he kept his composure and form throughout, and readily listened to his sensei's instructions and advice in between rounds.

Merely by participating, and scoring those two points, he proved to himself that "I can actually do this". To cross that mental barrier from "never" to "I actually have a shot at this". That character - the growth mindset - is what we want. From here, if he keeps up that attitude, all he needs is technique & practice to go higher and higher. 

Now that we've overcame that barrier, here's looking forward for more to come. 

As the saying goes, the Journey of a thousand miles begins with One Step.

Well done, little champ.. Allahumma barik🏅