Board Thread:Questions and Answers/@comment-180.214.233.65-20141121100326/@comment-35248429-20200204182735

I really hate that this is still an argument. Going to time is anime only. In the source material she beats him cleanly both times.

He's stated or implied weaker by multiple sources in the series and the author. It doesn't matter if he uses two swords, it doesn't matter if you think he held back. The fact of the matter is that her reaction time is faster and other than out gearing her with Excaliber, Yuuki is stronger than kirito by every metric of ALOs combat system.

Kirito is weaker or needs outside help to win multiple fights in this series. He's not always the strongest.