Life In 19x19

The link here http://www.go4go.net/go/games/sgfview/34552 shows a relatively short game that ends in a draw - apparently because a position on the board was repeated.

Both players seemingly had several chances to back off and prevent this. Did both players really think this is their best option?

In case you haven't seen it yet, here is the game with commentary and background information by An Yonggil 8p: http://gogameguru.com/eternal-life/

And here is an already existing thread about it in General Discussion: http://www.lifein19x19.com/forum/viewto ... =10&t=8597