What should participants do immediately after a sparring match?

Participants should bow and shake hands after a sparring match to promote sportsmanship. This action emphasizes mutual respect between practitioners, acknowledges the effort and skills of both competitors, and fosters a positive atmosphere within the training environment. Bowing is a traditional gesture in martial arts that signifies respect and gratitude, while shaking hands serves as a physical acknowledgment of the encounter. Engaging in this practice reinforces the values of discipline, camaraderie, and humility important in martial arts training.

The other options do not contribute to the same spirit of respect and sportsmanship. Walking away immediately can be seen as dismissive, while discussing the match loudly might disrupt the training environment and could come off as boastful or disrespectful. Ignoring the partner entirely undermines the mutual respect that is crucial in martial arts and disregards the principles of community and support among practitioners. Therefore, the act of bowing and shaking hands stands out as the most appropriate response immediately following a sparring match.