While some Judo Dojos compete in tournaments, competition is not necessary for advancement and promotion.
While some Judo Dojos compete in tournaments, competition is not necessary for advancement and promotion.  However, tournaments and competitions have a place in martial arts.  Namely, by helping reduce performance anxiety and stage fright.  When a child gets out on a competition mat at the age of 5 and competes, it’s likely they won’t grow up with stage fright.  I see many children who “come out of their shell” after competing and start to develop confidence in areas of their life where they never had it before.  Judo tournaments are frequently held in large gyms with loud noise and in front of hundreds of spectators.  Each tournament is a “fresh start”, so if a child doesn’t win at one competition, they have a brand new chance at the next.  Tournaments usually give children several matches, not just one, so they learn to be comfortable in those loud and raucous public settings.  When a child competes in Judo regularly, they learn how not to be afraid of the setting or venue and to, more importantly, focus in on the task at hand.  Judo fighters have gone on to become public speakers, motivational speakers, trainers, political figures, and they find success in a plethora of social or large-scale public settings.  So, while competition is not necessary, there are many, many benefits that come from it.