I was try-harding spar in 2010 to get 10k asap.
I got 10k-2k.
Sparing was easy because I live in France (delay,lag,sword longer,baguette,blabla...), and iDev only.
Atm, I find gsing really fun and not boring.
Now people takes it too seriously, and wall spar all day long to don't lose. (They aren't trying to win)
The only real sparrers I like (speaking about mechanics) are a japanese dude who taught me alot and Thallen who's amazing to see sparing even though he always beats me.
This is my vision of sparring, sorry.
To conclude, I'll quote a great man who said "Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game."