Ewan and a “light” sparring session

“Alright.. Ewan.  We’re just gonna go light this round OK!!  I want to make sure I get my moves down right”  I say.

“Sure..no problem.. just like this..??” he  jabs lightly at my forearm. 

“Yea..thats good!!”

“Good.. are you ready?”  ..”yea.. i’m ready!!”

…the bell chimes…”dingggg”

Earlier in the day I played football for the university…  Before that me and some friends ventured to the Yonsei court for a few games of basketball with the locals.  Already I am exhausted…looking inwards for motivation and strength.  I pray to God for strength and clear sight and thinking..and I am blessed to receive it.  I emphasize this to Ewan and the look in his eyes tells me that he understands.  Good…I am ready.

Me and Ewan dance around each other in the ring..my arms are heavy with the weight of the gloves and I cannot breathe from the headpiece that is strapped around my face.  I watch his moves and anticipate his punches..but we are really cautious…initially.

The whole gym stops mid…everything to watch Ewan and I in the ring.  The coaches are standing in the back..arms crossed ignoring the TV set that is blaring unattended in the background.  I notice a group of cheerleaders in our corners..and I try earnestly to block out all that is around me.  I ignore everyone and enter into my own mental zone.  There is only me..my gloves..and Ewan in front of me..menacing me with his eyes..anticipating my moves.  I throw a jab..harmless and…light.  I estimate my range to his face…calculating his reaction time.  We dance around each other and he cautiously throws a jab..then another.  I get a feel for his movement and I score the first punch.  Faking the jab..I come in with the right hook..lightly.. simultaneously noticing my coach eagerly anticipate the action in the corner.  At this point..early into our first match the dynamics of the fight have already changed.  Adrenaline rushing into our veins..this is no longer a “light” match as I am about to discover.  Ewan is a bit unsettled and comes in harder.  “Jab..jab..hook”.  He scores his first blow and I take a step back from the force.  Definetely not…”light”.  I again tell him that this is a light sparring match..and receive an appreciative nod.  “Sorry”..he mutters.

However..actions speaks louder than words.

For the next three minutes..I find myself in a brawl. 

Hooks and uppercuts are thrown…selflessly and wholeheartedly.  I jab..sidestep and jab again.  I score a punch to his face and notice his sloppy movements.  But he is quick.  Really quick.  He comes in and jabs twice to my face going hard to my body torso.  I feel his power but make him pay dearly with a couple of jabs.  “One Two” I count off in my head.  He grunts and I continue..but I am already exhausted.  Dancing around the ring I feel the weight of the gloves increasing..and I continue jabbing.  “Hook..Hook..jab jab.. side step jab.” My coaches eyes are intense… and I hear a chorus of advice..   (in Korean) amidst the heavy breathing that fills my world.  My head is throbbing from his last punch..but I see the insecurity in his eyes.  I cannot let him know that I am tired and weak.. I have to show my strength.. I will not lose. 

But I do.

Halfway through the 3rd round I call it quits.  I am sincerely annoyed at myself for putting myself in this position..but intensely proud that I stood up to a seasoned boxer and did very well.  Blood trickles from my nose and a friend hands me a tissue.  My coaches nod their heads at me..”Goo Dah Chi” they all say.. many of them asking me if I sparred before.  My head is throbbing and my jaw doesn’t shut properly..now.  But I feel that every punch I thow and beating I take irons me out to be that much of a stronger fighter now and in the future.  Tomorrow I will work on my uppercuts and ducks… 

This first loss of mine I will not easily forget either…a tremendous motivation for me in the future.