hephaestion2014's blog

So the year is drawing to a close, and certainly having had my last match of the year - my wrestling year has ended.

Not just in world events but in my wrestling, it's been an odd year. It has had a few highs and lows.

Every match and every opponent has been great. I've managed to finally wrestle some guys I've been in awe of ever since I joined the site. Manchester will forever have a special place because of this :)

And have made some new wrestling mates as well as good friends.

Trouble is in meeting so many new opponents and taking on new challenges, the opportunity to reconnect with past opponents hasn't been that great. I do like rematching, because in the first match whilst it's exciting and novelty, with a repeat opponent you can go deeper, go harder and push those limits of what you can and can't take and get much rougher. It's that balance thing.

Of course there's been rejections. That's fine. I had a friend moan a while back about a guy wanting to meet only a certain body type. It's someone's preference and if they don't want to wrestle you - then fine :)

That's not to say rejection doesn't sting.

I've been blanked at a meet whilst a wrestler introduced himself to the thinner guys either side of me. Think I might have been wearing Harry Potter's Invisibility cloak then. It stung, but only temporarily and I was proud of myself for being as philosophical about it in person as I claim to be on here. I appreciated my matches with those who did want to wrestle with me even more :)

So yeah, I've been racking up the opponents but not necessarily the wins. I'm going to claim the calibre of my opponents for this, but that's probably not true. The block I had about winning when I first joined is still here. I don't have the skills yet, or the technique yet to win against a lot of the people I've fought but i still lack that killer instinct.

I often hear opponents say that in matches, they look at their opponent before the fight as they are squaring up thinking how they are going to destroy them.

Couple of years in, I still don't think like that. I'm working on it though, and Thug Jon is here but he is like the worst tag team partner, rarely taps in and is often missing in action. I'm giving him a talking to next year. People keep telling me that I'm not a jobber so I should prove them right :)

The worst low was writing off the whole summer of wrestling due to a stress fracture in me foot (non wrestling related) Am still impressed I hobbled down to Walthamstow, got into the ring and fought a great guy with what I thought was just a sore foot at the time. I am a Sparta! :)

The best thing about this year?
The last John Cotterill Manchester meet.

Not saying any of my other matches or meets were less enjoyable but for me, it was a private personal triumph.

I have good days, and the occasional bad days when Winston Churchill's Black Dogs are barking. When I just want to stay in bed with the curtains drawn and not talk or do anything with anyone. Just wait till i can go to sleep and the whole horrible day is over.

That day they were barking loudly, but I promised to be there, so I was going to get there no matter what.

My energy levels were low, I was a bit quiet and less chatty than I normally was. My self confidence was low so didn't challenge or in some cases approach those I really wanted to challenge.

But I had an awesome day.
I kicked those dog's butts, even if I didn't my opponents. Yes, wrestling and wrestlers are great, being in the company of people with a shared interest is great.

Feeling connected and part of something is how this site has made me feel this year. Hope it continues in the next.

Have a good whatever celebration you are having. Have a great end of the year, and an awesome 2017. Hope to wrestle some of you next year!