Do you have a nemesis at your academy?
2 week(s) ago • 265 views • 15 replies
I just recently heard about the concept of an academy nemesis, someone you’re always trying to get the better of. Is this common? If you have a nemesis, what’s their belt? Mine is a black belt, absolute favorite training partner. After I earned blue in Dec 2023, he started pushing me harder. It’s taken three years to catch him slipping ONCE! Probably won’t happen again any time soon, but I figure it’s good to have lofty goals. |
I'm not sure "nemesis" is the right word for it, but it's common to have a friendly rivalry with a training partner. That's someone you really want to be able to defeat in a competitive roll, but at the same time, you're learning a lot from them. I've had many over the years. Generally they're my rank or one rank above, and they always end up as one of my best friends at the dojo. Currently I have two... both 3rd degree black belts, and it's always a big (private) thrill when I'm able to submit them in a competitive roll. |
"The good thing about getting better than your nemesis is that you can just find new one." Our favorite nemesis from white and blue belt often retains a pleasantly favorite spot in our mind, even decades later, when we see them. It's like two dogs who were pups together, that see each other, after a long absence. |
I've lost to Taavi Vaigla (BC: https://www.beltchecker.c[...]hp?id=2706) in competition like 5 times or so now... We don't train in the same academy but the scene is small so... He makes me always try to remember this:  (Edited 6 day(s) ago) |
Back in the day as a blue belt I had many. I was double everyone's age in the room (40's) and was just trying to work on my guard and I would see the same 3 dudes just smashing the shit outta me and my baby closed guard for months and months. It got to the point that I would see their cars and it would give me pause. I'm glad I went thru it, now when I go back to visit after moving away - that closed guard ain't so babyish and those purple belts get a good round and me attacking their wrists LOL It seemed horrible at the time, but everything hard seemed much worse at the time, and in hindsight, not as bad. Weird how that works. Now I just have black belts smashing me and attacking my feet... (Edited 5 day(s) ago) |
"Back in the day as a blue belt I had many. I was double everyone's age in the room (40's) and was just trying to work on my guard and I would see the same 3 dudes just smashing the shit outta me and my baby closed guard for months and months. It got to the point that I would see their cars and it would give me pause. I'm glad I went thru it, now when I go back to visit after moving away - that closed guard ain't so babyish and those purple belts get a good round and me attacking their wrists LOL It seemed horrible at the time, but everything hard seemed much worse at the time, and in hindsight, not as bad. Weird how that works. Now I just have black belts smashing me and attacking my feet..." seems like a common path for us older guys that did not start at a young age. |
Two in my gym. We have a big 270lb Blue Belt that also wrestled in high school. He pushes me hard and catches me on occasion. Also have a Pro MMA purple belt that's about same size as me and he seems to be my cryptonite. They are both great training partners and i'm lucky to have them. And we have a heavyweight BlackBelt that i cannot even get a dominate grip on. Like nothing. He makes me feel like its my first day everytime we roll. Maybe some day i will survive a round! |
