Dave Samuel's Journal – April 2011 Archive (2)

On the way home from class tonight I realized I've been making a mental mistake expecting defeat when sparring against partners who I perceive to be more skilled than me. For instance, when sparring Mr. Oliver, I expect to take hits, and I am surprised when I land a blow. It seems to me that this is the wrong attitude. Regardless of skill level, speed or size, going into a fight expecting to get thumped seems like an excellent way to get thumped.



What I am struggling with is trying… Continue

I have enjoyed reading Karate-Dō, by Gichin Funakoshi.  My favorite passage is the subsection, "An Important Lesson", at the start of the chapter "No Weapons".  In the passage, two skilled fighters (the engraver and Matsumura) face off in a duel.  Matsumura emerges victorious from the match without landing a blow. In describing how he defeated the engraver, Matsumura says, "...I know this: you were determined to win, and I was just as determined to die if I lost.  That is the difference…

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