Did aikido ever fail you?

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[Edward]

Real Life thread gave me an idea. I have read many posts describing how aikido was used successfully to defend against real life attacks, but have never read any describing how someone tried to use an aikido technique to defend himself and failed.

I think it would be very interesting to read about such experiences. Please share them with us!

[erikmenzel]

Aikido never failed me.

I do however wonder about the number of answers you might get.

It kind of reminds me of the claim people make about friendly dolphins that push people swept overboard to shore. Of course the people pushed to open see cannot tell their view on this anymore.

Still I do think it is a good question to ask.

[PeterR]

*****Cliche Alert*****

Aikido has never failed me - my Aikido has failed me.

Luckily that's hapended only in the dojo.
My student was a boxer - I said hit me - he did. A beautiful taisabaki, unfortunately lousy ma ai.

[Edward]

Thanks Erik and Peter for your replies.

Since there are no posts about aikidoka who have been attacked, tried to defend themselves using aikido, and failed, I can assume the following reasons:

1. Aikidoka are never attacked or get involved in fights.
2. Aikido always works.
3. Aikidoka don't like to mention their failures.
4. They just simply died in the attack.

And Peter, I think there is a big difference between dojo training and real life threats. I think the immediate danger and the adrenaline would create a situation where you become very alert and wouldn't mind harming your attacker in any possible way.

Cheers,
Edward

[Erik]

There's a semi-famous story about an Aikidoist who was stabbed and killed. This was in New York and I believe it was in the 60's. The guy found a kid around or in his car. The guy, a 3rd dan, confronted the kid and the kid did what you do with knives.

I know of another Aikidoist here in the Bay Area who was attacked in bed by her boyfriend and killed. She was very much a beginner from what I know.

No fights nor even serious possibilities since I've been doing this stuff.

[PeterR]

Originally posted by Edward
And Peter, I think there is a big difference between dojo training and real life threats. I think the immediate danger and the adrenaline would create a situation where you become very alert and wouldn't mind harming your attacker in any possible way.

inserted laterReallized after reading your original post that it was not - still what I wrote stands.

Um was this in response to another thread? If it was I indicated there I would not probably not seriously injure the person but qualified that statement that I don't consider broken wrists or noses, and concussions serious injuries.

To be very frank - loving protection of my attackers is far from my world view. I doubt though I would go out of my way to chastise further than what was necessary to eliminate the threat or to recover what was mine. Based on non-dojo experience, some combative, some not.

[ChristianBoddum]

Hi and good morning !
Once I was attacked at my home,and this being
maybe with two years of training,I missed
the moment to do an ikkyo,so I had to improvise - which involved some hairpulling,
my luck the guy wasn't a skinhead !
I took him outside still keeping his head down,being outside I was free to run and move,
he made it look like he was going to pull a gun,and to my and his luck there was no gun.
I managed to cool him down and make him my friend and to this day we still are.
I've late found out he has a maniodepressive streak and was beat up by his likewise father a lot as a child,so when alcohol kicks in
he is not always a pleasure,he has a military background and a lot of streetfighting behind him,which I later found out.
But maybe technical side of it didn't resemble
dojo style the outcome was in my opinion very much aikido.
This incident happende because I had a visitor
who didn't lock the door which always is the case normally,he just sat and watched it all.
Life is strange huh ?
yours - Chr.B.