You've heard us talk about the Top 10 before, but how do you get into it?
Before we get too deep, you'll need to understand that we are actually talking about two different Top 10 lists here. The Top 10 in the State and the Top 10 in the World. The are both lists of the 10 best competitors in their respective areas, but the criteria to get onto the lists are different.
So, let's look at is from the perspective of a colored belt who's interested in the the Top 10 for the first time.
Your first goal would be to get into the State Top 10. In order to compete in the State Top 10 you must be an active Leadership Student at your school. This is a goal that is accessible to anyone. Each time you place 1st, 2nd or 3rd in a tournament you earn points. Assuming there are at least 5 competitors in each event you would earn 5 points for 1st, 3 for 2nd and 1 for 1st (less points for fewer competitors). The tournament season runs from World Championships of one year to April 31st of the next. The 10 competitors in your division with the most points are the Top 10. It's just that simple (so far :-) )
If you get into the State Top 10, you are invited to District Championships. Districts are usually held at the end of May. We are in the North District meaning that the State Top 10 from North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska are all invited. The one winner in each event is crowned District Champion. For Colored Belts that's as far as it goes.
Now for the World Top 10. This is only for Black Belts (you do not need to be a Leadership Student). This is a very lofty and difficult goal as there are lots of students around the country training very hard to be in the final 10. You earn points the same way as the State Top 10. The tournament year for World Top 10 is the same as the State. If you finish the year in the World Top 10, you earn an invitation to compete in the Tournament of Champions at our World Championship tournament. More on that in a moment....
There is another way to earn the invitation to the Tournament of Champions. Win a District Championship. This means that you don't have to spend the year travelling to tournaments, but can be a very difficult challenge.
At World Championships, you can consider it to be 2 distinct tournaments. The Tournament of Champions is invitation only and takes place on Friday of that week. The winners are crowned World Champions. This is the end of the tournament season. Saturday and Sunday is the regular tournament portion. It is the first tournament of the season and anyone can register and compete.
All State, District and World Champions are eligible to wear special uniforms displaying their championship status. Depending on the number of competitors in a ring, this can also lead to that student earning a bye in the first round of either Sparring or Combat.
We currently have several students in the Top 10 in both State and the World. Help cheer them on and even consider making your own run at a Championship!
-Mr. Johnson
www.JohnsonsATA.com
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