Halfcain46's blog

I am so looking forward to going to Chicago Wrestlefest in October. I had my heart set on attending last year, but a severe wrist and thumb injury kept me on the shelf for awhile. Knock on wood...

I dont really have any lofty expectations to be honest. I have talked to a few guys who plan on attending and thrown around the possibility of matches and I am totally looking forward to that if things align.

I am also looking forward to some open mats. I will have my gi and nogi gear tbere if anyone wants to roll, and i will bring a singlet if anyone wants some wrestling action.

What i am most looking forward to is meeting the people I message here face to face, and the opportunity to meet others in the MF community.

I am a 57 year old blue belt that has seen better days body wise. Despite the numerous lingering injuries I train 4 days a week.

With tbat in mind, I have been asked when communicating with people in settings up matches if I will use bjj in the match.

The simple answer is it depends.

If it is someone who also trains I will obviously agree. These people know the rules of the road and know how to roll safely. While I am all for rolling in this context, I prefer to do so in that persons academy or gym for safety reasons.

If we cant do it in at an academy I will still accept as long as they understand I am looking for more of a flow roll and to learn things if they are better than myself.

For those not versed in bjj, I generally throw caution to the wind. I tell people these locks and chokes can be very dangerous if not done properly and with care. During a match I may catch a kimura or a choke but I will do what is called "catch and release" which simply means I have the submission but I let it go pretty much after it is established.

In some wrestling matches, I will exclusively play from the bottom while the other guy tries to pin or submit from the dominant position. This way, I can work on my frames and escapes while giving the other guy a chance to work.

As with anything grappling, I just want a fun and safe experience.

I enjoy being part of the Meetfighters community. In my time on the site, I have met some truly wonderful people and had many excellent experiences.

My mindset has been "it is what it is"

I am a stocky but athletic guy who is the back half of his 50s. There will be guys that I know I will never get a chance to wrestle. Whether it is because of distance or lack of interest of compatibility, I accept that. 

I have learned over the years to read profiles carefully and make note of the type of opponent a guy wrestles and the type if match they like. If the dots dont fully connect, I wont contact them.

If i do reach out to someone and they tell me they are not interested, its no harm no foul. In the event a guy is rude to me or wants to point out what is wrong with me or my appearance, I dont get offended. It isnt worth my time or energy.

I used to get annoyed with the "no response is a response" crowd. I don't get annoyed anymore. There are times I have to put myself in another person's shoes and think about the messages they must get...and I get it.

Bottom line is its just wrestling. If an opportunity presents itself to have a match, let's get after it! I enjoy chatting with people all over the world just as much as wrestling.

I am looking forward to Chicago Wrestlefest. I knkw ill have some matches,but i am looking forward to meeting others. Meetfighers is a huge community and there is room of everybody.