I agree it’s hard to watch, both hard to watch my step-son get hit, and hard to watch my husband flinch at each blow his baby takes. But I also agree that @troubledsoles seemed to fight differently last night. It was magical. His love for the sport, his respect for his opponent, his devotion to his team, his dedication to training and improving have always been admirable to see. Last night was like watching all those those things baked into a cake that was finally ready, complete, with the secret ingredient of confidence added in. Cake is of course a terrible analogy. I can’t think of the last time I saw that boy eat cake on his training regimen. But it is the closest I can come to describing the sense of ‘done to a turn’ about his fighting last night.

Congratulations @troubledsoles! That was a great match. And congratulations @preparedwombat, for being there for him even though it’s kinda hard.