Yep, a half-decent one from Moley who "really did pull it", displaying legendary control, (the marks around the eye looked worse and lasted longer than the pain) very early on in my training - not much to report on that one, it was the end of the evening and I was more worried about explaining it to a new employer next morning.
A few light touches from Bruizer in Jyu and Nan Demo, not really a problem, keeps you awake to the possibilities and need to balance attack with defend.
I think Lloydie has hit it spot on - in the heat of the moment, we can withstand a few knocks, short-term. It is a real mind-over-matter thing and whether you want to continue to be 'up there' trading. There is a great video of Richie R, Dave and Pete competing in the old days of mitts and contact, Richie, just keeps coming back at his opponent, even though he takes a few decent licks and kicks. You can see the determination in his posture.
However, and as we all have to do other things the next day, I continue to start each Kumite with a real awareness that I may get hit in the face, then as the competitive or 'don't put off the inevitable' element kicks in, I feel this must be both adrenalin and mind-shift preparing you for a reasonable amount of contact on the balance of probabilities.
I have been hit quite hard in the torso several times, but they always seem to land whilst in 'Kiai' (mid-attack), so no damage there AS YET.
The most painful injuries have been from the bl**%y Rainman, namely strikes to the back of the hand and ankle, as counters - these hurt like sh!t as they contact areas of low muscle cover.
Then there was this one time we went
paintballing .................................................................
W/MD
