My First Kyokushin Tournament....

[RWaggs]

I like the way you charged right in and went right after the guy at the beginning of the fight. Are you kind of thinking "I'll get my licks in while I'm fresh"? I ask that only because you mentioned you want to work on your cardio. I actually thought your punching was better than the other guys but he had a kick height advantage.

I was actually following my Sensei's advice that I may be able to make up for lack of experience with more aggression initially. I actually think that if I'd conserved my cardio a little more, I may have been better off after the first waza ari when I finally remembered how to block his kicks, but oh well.

And yeah, I think I may have stronger punches than he did, but it's hard to tell. I don't remember his punches really hurting at all, but that right leg of his was making enough noise on my nervous system that everything else was on the back burner. I do know that upper torso feels fine right now, whereas I'm still limping.

[The Deliverator]

Yeah, nothing really specific. Mostly, the conditioning comes from kicking our classmates in their legs and having our kicks blocked with their shins and vice versa. That, and kicking heavy bags. I should actually ask around my dojo and see if anyone else is doing something more substantial, based on the way my shins currently feel.

I suppose I should could get a hold of my opponent and ask him, as his shin strikes felt somewhat like getting hit with a baseball bat.

I like the way you charged right in and went right after the guy at the beginning of the fight. Are you kind of thinking "I'll get my licks in while I'm fresh"? I ask that only because you mentioned you want to work on your cardio. I actually thought your punching was better than the other guys but he had a kick height advantage.

[Evergrey]

Well, if it's any concilation, I don't think I could bust up cinder blocks the way you do...that shit is impressive.

Thanks!
Well, when I'm walking alone late at night and a retaining wall tries to jump me, I will be prepared, heh...

[Colin]

The difference between leg kicks with pads on, and a properly conditioned shin, is like the difference between a foam toy and a crowbar.

[RWaggs]

I wondered if you could tell me about what kind of shin conditioning or nerve deadening you do (if any). The vast amount of my own 'conditioning' (I use that word pretty loosely when talking about my own legs) just comes from shin on shin/forearm type clashes in sparring, and the basic heavy bag drills.

Yeah, nothing really specific. Mostly, the conditioning comes from kicking our classmates in their legs and having our kicks blocked with their shins and vice versa. That, and kicking heavy bags. I should actually ask around my dojo and see if anyone else is doing something more substantial, based on the way my shins currently feel.

I suppose I should could get a hold of my opponent and ask him, as his shin strikes felt somewhat like getting hit with a baseball bat.

[Colin]

Hey, thanks man! Thud indeed...

I wondered if you could tell me about what kind of shin conditioning or nerve deadening you do (if any). The vast amount of my own 'conditioning' (I use that word pretty loosely when talking about my own legs) just comes from shin on shin/forearm type clashes in sparring, and the basic heavy bag drills.

[RWaggs]

Yeah, you have talent!
I don't, haha, but I work hard, so my hope is that I'll get really good if I keep plugging away at it.

Well, if it's any concilation, I don't think I could bust up cinder blocks the way you do...that shit is impressive.

[RWaggs]

Thud... Thud... Thud..

Loved every moment of it. Mad props. (hard to believe less than 6 months experience)

Hey, thanks man! Thud indeed...

[tao.jonez]

Hah. Yeah, that was a joke.

In response to the flexibility thing; Butterfly stretches.

[RWaggs]

You kept missing his face. It was wide open man!

Yeah, one of the biggest drawbacks of my limited experience in KK is that it's coupled with my natural lack of flexibility. I'm still quite a ways off from being able to threaten the head with my legs. I need to re-double my efforts on that. If anyone here was able to overcome that issue in a really effective way (certain stretching routing, perhaps), then I would be glad to hear it.

Edit: Oh wait, I just realized that this was a Kyokushin joke about no punches to the face (it's early). That's actually hilarious.

[tao.jonez]

You kept missing his face. It was wide open man!

[Evergrey]

Yeah, you have talent!
I don't, haha, but I work hard, so my hope is that I'll get really good if I keep plugging away at it.

[Colin]

Thud... Thud... Thud..

Loved every moment of it. Mad props. (hard to believe less than 6 months experience)

[Evergrey]

OSU to you, a hell of a lot of people like to talk a bit talk but never step out into the ring for a fight. And given the relative experience levels, you did very very well. You, sir, could probably wipe the mats with me.

[RWaggs]

Ugh...I'm in pain right now. It's like I got hit by a rock or something.

That was a great experience, but I'm disappointed I didn't do better and got to at least fight another time.

How's your leg doing this morning?

Yeah, I would've like to have fought another, but even if I had, any more leg strikes would've ended me quick.

You did fine, Jake. I spar the guy you fought sometimes, and he usually takes me apart too.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'm open to whatever anyone wants to say!