In the study and training of the martial arts, there are two major driving forces in the practice of aforesaid MA
1 – For self defence and the development of effective and applicable skills should a situation arise whereby the use of martial skill is necessary
2 – The development of perfect form and graceful movement in the execution of techniques and performance of pre-determined forms. A great many take this further and compete with other Martial Artists in competitions whereby excellence and scoring is based on aesthetics rather than practicality and martial efficacy.
No one reason is more important than the other as each individual’s reasons for training vary considerably. The point this short article is trying to stress is that while they may be overlap between the two, at some stage, the Martial artist will will have to give deference to one over the other. For beauty and aesthetics have no place really in the world of reality based combat. And the crude, simple yet practically effective techniques in self defence training won’t score very high in competitions with rules.
Mawashi Geri
So to all MARTIAL Arts enthusiasts out there… What drives you to excel in your chosen style?
Kensei's Blog 
Reblogged this on newtype.
Why Black Belts don’t quit may be of interest: http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/why-black-belts-never-quit/
The aesthetic side in tkd competitions is more relevant to the pattern competitions, the tkd scoring in sparring is about strikes. It is only if there is no clear winner then they would like at ‘intent’ to fight and defend.
Its partly wanting to improve the forms but I noticed that even after a few sessions once you understand more about hurting human beings and getting hurt, there is a different responsibility which is motivating too beyond starting in the first place – out of interest, or to develop self-confidence or whatever.