Masters/ Seniors or not?

[DLM]

Hi

I will be entering the Manchester Event organised by 'Grab and Pull' on 20th June 2010 but cannot decide whether to enter the seniors/masters division or the general adult division.

Being 41 I more than qualify for the seniors but just don't know whether it is taking the easy option. Not that I am saying the senior competitors will be easy to beat. What I mean is the general adult category will likely be a bigger division and likely more challenging for me as an individual to keep up with the younger guys.

But then on the other hand is it worth entering a division which will be much more physically demanding and much more difficult to progress through the rounds.

I am not putting seniors down or suggesting I am better than any of the older competitors but I know, being older myself we don't have the explosiveness, endurance or stamina of the younger guys. Not to mention there will likely be less competitors in the senior division. Hey, if there are only 3 then it could be a guaranteed medal! :p

I still think of myself as reasonably fit and healthy and at the recent Ground control event I didn't feel completely uncomfortable in the general adult category even though I lost both bouts. But I really cannot decide which to enter.

I suppose I could enter the senior division and if it turns out there are not that many entrants I will end up in the adult category anyway?

Am I just making an issue out of something and nothing?

What would you guys do?

Cheers

[rjd]

Act your age not your shoe size :p
Seriously though id enter into the division that you ment to be in seniors the more that enter that division the more fights you will get against guys same weight and age let the kids fight it out... you know how the old saying goes... kids are eager to start quick to finish :D

[LukeH]

I suppose a lot depends on your belt / experience level as well I would imagine?

[Rob T]

A lot of comps will let people do a masters/seniors division and adults... depends on entry numbers. Contact them first before making a decision either way.

[wagon]

there was a good thread on this on the Underground.

Win everything you should at your weight and age first then look to smash the others, I thought this was a good bit of advice. Will I listen to it, probably not :D

[DLM]

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I'll enter the masters and see what happens.

[tinerrz]

Are the masters/seniors graded by belts like 'normal' categories?

[daddybaresi]

Hi

I will be entering the Manchester Event organised by 'Grab and Pull' on 20th June 2010 but cannot decide whether to enter the seniors/masters division or the general adult division.

Being 41 I more than qualify for the seniors but just don't know whether it is taking the easy option. Not that I am saying the senior competitors will be easy to beat. What I mean is the general adult category will likely be a bigger division and likely more challenging for me as an individual to keep up with the younger guys.

But then on the other hand is it worth entering a division which will be much more physically demanding and much more difficult to progress through the rounds.

I am not putting seniors down or suggesting I am better than any of the older competitors but I know, being older myself we don't have the explosiveness, endurance or stamina of the younger guys. Not to mention there will likely be less competitors in the senior division. Hey, if there are only 3 then it could be a guaranteed medal! :p

I still think of myself as reasonably fit and healthy and at the recent Ground control event I didn't feel completely uncomfortable in the general adult category even though I lost both bouts. But I really cannot decide which to enter.

I suppose I could enter the senior division and if it turns out there are not that many entrants I will end up in the adult category anyway?

Am I just making an issue out of something and nothing?

What would you guys do?

Cheers

Hey man I know EXACTLY what you mean. I've signed up for the Bournemouth open also on the 20th June). They're using the IBJFF categories which split things up even more (adult/masters/seniors 1/seniors 2).

At the moment there's only one other person in my division and he trains at the same club as me!!

The Kent Open has this
"Masters Category - If no competitor registers for your Age and Weight division, or the weight division above yours in your age category, we shall try and accommodate you within the adult category nearest
your weight."

I don't know what happens if only one other person registers... maybe you get a medal and then fight in the absolutes??

[fishface]

DLM

I'm in the same situation, I'm in Seniors 1 now and if no one else signs up I'll probably be put into the Masters bracket, which I have competed many times.

The brackets are there for a reason, so I say more Seniors should step up and fill the brackets :D

F

[shakus maximus]

Over the last 2 years i have competed in at comps at three different divisions senior/master/adult.
i have took medals in all 3 cats and i really dont think the technical level is any different
i prefer entering the division that my age suits tho as there are usally less competitors so it gives us oldies more chance of getting to a final.
that said at the british this year my cat saw masters and seniors combine and there were 18 competitors which i believe was the highest number for all the blue belt divisions. ( i may be wrong and if i am it was def in the top 3) so it dont always mean less fights. lol
dont worry what others say do what u feel comfortable with.
just my opinion

[Meerkatsu]

Put yourself down as a senior and see where the organisors place you.

I'm 40 and have fought at adult, masters and seniors all in the same year. All were good fun I learned a lot but seniors is where I belong and where I feel I can hang with my peers. The few percent of extra oomph someone five-ten years younger than you really makes a difference in my view - assuming you are of average to good levels of fitness for your age. Obviously some seniors are animals and will happily take on guys half their age. Not me though :)

[liamwandi]

DLM

I'm in the same situation, I'm in Seniors 1 now and if no one else signs up I'll probably be put into the Masters bracket, which I have competed many times.

The brackets are there for a reason, so I say more Seniors should step up and fill the brackets :D

F

Yup. Otherwise they'll just take the brackets away.

Good on you DLM for competing. I look forward to seeing you there buddy. :)

[Makaveli]

what are the ages for senior 1 and senior 2. I am 40 in August and considering my first comp.

[Rob T]

what are the ages for senior 1 and senior 2. I am 40 in August and considering my first comp.

You are senior 2.

Adults is up to 29. Masters is 30-34 then senior X every 5 years.

It goes on the age you will be in the current year. So someone who will be 30 on 31st Dec can enter a masters comp on 1st Jan that same year even though they'd have only just turned 29.

[shakus maximus]

oldies for the win. lol

lets see if these young guns are still on the mat at our age. only time will tell. lol

[DLM]

There is a guy in my class who is around 60, so whenever I think I am too old I just look to him for inspiration. Fair enough, he doesn't compete but even sparring can be a killer.

[liamwandi]

There is a guy in my class who is around 60, so whenever I think I am too old I just look to him for inspiration. Fair enough, he doesn't compete but even sparring can be a killer.

dude that just put a huge smile on my face! :)

[fishface]

I've entered as Senior 1 (39 years young) hopefully I won't be the only 39 year old purple belt in the Manchester area :confused: :confused: If there are insufficient numbers for the Seniors, they'll put us all in to the Masters.

As I said before, the brackets are there for a reason, be a shame to see them go to waste.

F

[DLM]

dude that just put a huge smile on my face! :)

You may know him Liam, he trained at Karl's for a little while. His name is Clive.

[DLM]

I've entered as Senior 1 (39 years young) hopefully I won't be the only 39 year old purple belt in the Manchester area :confused: :confused: If there are insufficient numbers for the Seniors, they'll put us all in to the Masters.

As I said before, the brackets are there for a reason, be a shame to see them go to waste.

F
agreed FishFace. I entered the seniors, so see what happens. Either way it's all experience.

[wobblybob]

I entered the seni as senior, I'm 52 and had to give away quite a few years. I wish there were more oldies but there aren't.... (I think they're all dead :(()

[DLM]

Well according to Gus at Grab and Pull, the seniors division isn't too full so could be in adults after all.

[fishface]

DLM

If the Senior brackets are empty, I dare say they'll drop us into the Masters division.

F

[wobblybob]

so be it..

[DLM]

DLM

If the Senior brackets are empty, I dare say they'll drop us into the Masters division.

F

Are the Masters and Seniors not the same thing?

I was expecting to be dropped into the general adults category.

[fishface]

DLM

Masters is 30-35yrs

Senior 1 is 35-40yrs

Will have to see what happens on the day and I hope I dont get a bad shift on Saturday night :(

F

[DLM]

DLM

Masters is 30-35yrs

Senior 1 is 35-40yrs

Will have to see what happens on the day and I hope I dont get a bad shift on Saturday night :(

F

Ahh that makes sense thanks Fishface. I am 41 so I guess I would just be alright in senior?

Can see this is going to be fun!

Hope everything goes well for you mate.

[fishface]

DLM

You'd be in Senior 2 bracket at your young age ;)

Gus will be putting up a competitor list 17th June, check the EFN forum mate :D

F

[DLM]

DLM

You'd be in Senior 2 bracket at your young age ;)

Gus will be putting up a competitor list 17th June, check the EFN forum mate :D

F

Where do I find the EFN forum mate?

[fishface]

http://www.efnsports.com/forum/index.php?topic=9103.45

F