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This is only in reference to adult divisions. Here's my situation. I run a BJJ Tournament series in South Texas.
Now currently I allow competitor's to compete up a belt class if they ask. Sometime's they do well, sometimes they dont. Whatever right. But I did recently get a couple of complaints from the higher belts having to face a lower belt. Mainly whenever they lose to the lower belt. But I'm trying to sympathize and decide whether I should still allow it.
Here are my pros and cons on the subject:
Pros:
- I know that lower belts like to test themselves against higher belts
- The higher the belt, the harder it can be to fill the divisions, so this can help ensure more matches for the higher belts
Cons:
- Higher belts can sometimes have their ego take a hit if they happen to lose to the lower belt
- This might discourage higher belts from competing if they know they might have to face a lower belt
Now I can see where they're coming from. I'm a black belt, and usually when I compete, black and brown belts get mixed. I've never really had a problem with this. But every now and then, I lose to a brown belt, and yeah, it kinda stings a little. But honestly, I have no one to blame but myself if I couldn't beat him. But I do understand the feeling of not wanting to fight a lower belt at all.
So what do you think? Should I still allow it, or get rid of it?
Now currently I allow competitor's to compete up a belt class if they ask. Sometime's they do well, sometimes they dont. Whatever right. But I did recently get a couple of complaints from the higher belts having to face a lower belt. Mainly whenever they lose to the lower belt. But I'm trying to sympathize and decide whether I should still allow it.
Here are my pros and cons on the subject:
Pros:
- I know that lower belts like to test themselves against higher belts
- The higher the belt, the harder it can be to fill the divisions, so this can help ensure more matches for the higher belts
Cons:
- Higher belts can sometimes have their ego take a hit if they happen to lose to the lower belt
- This might discourage higher belts from competing if they know they might have to face a lower belt
Now I can see where they're coming from. I'm a black belt, and usually when I compete, black and brown belts get mixed. I've never really had a problem with this. But every now and then, I lose to a brown belt, and yeah, it kinda stings a little. But honestly, I have no one to blame but myself if I couldn't beat him. But I do understand the feeling of not wanting to fight a lower belt at all.
So what do you think? Should I still allow it, or get rid of it?