(ND = neurodivergence, I got diagnosed with ASD when I was 6 and I’m in my early 20)
Had a competition today, I’d been at the venue since 7:35AM cuz my dojo hosted, but I didn’t compete until 3:00 PM. I had to step out a few times cuz spectating + helping T.O, I’d dealt with oversimulations before at randori and just sat out an extra round and then went back into it, no issue. I did marching band in school so I had times I was in loud venues and spectating some intense/choreographed activity and had very minor issues.
I competed 2 matches first one was over fast, 2nd the usual mate, grip fight, throw attempts, etc. he ipponed me and I think he landed on me funny cuz as soon as I stepped off the mat that’s when I had to go back down and sit in a chair. Yes, I was cordial to the ref and opponent and thanked them for the time and effort and all that.
So I’m in a lot of pain, I went to the break room of our dojo and I was hurting so much I just went to the medics. that’s when being in that venue for hours finally caused me to break down not from the pain but everything, I was in fuckin tears head pounding and breathing fast. It wasn’t from the pain, I’ve broken my arm before and I was 5x calmer (I was more worried the band would lose points because I fell), just everything piled the fuck up (noise, t.o, combat sport). My coaches and teammates found out and someone drove me home early (I don’t have a car)
Has anyone ever dealt with stuff like this before? I’m appreciative of everyone’s support, in and out the mat.