![](https://www.spectator.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Taki-Cutout1.png?w=146)
High Life | 5 July 2008
‘My legs are leaden, my throat is dry and I feel slightly sick with anxiety. As I make my way towards the arena the roar of the crowd gets louder. One question keeps edging into the small part of my mind which is functioning normally: what on earth are the combatants going through if I