Also, I'm positive that when Akane is at her full potenial she is much

better than 

Ranma.  So, it could be that when Akane is angry that momentarily raises

her fighting 

ability to her full potenial and thus beating up Ranma easily.

Don,

I tend to disagree with you.  I've read all 38 volumes of the manga, and to
this very day, Ranma is STILL, the best overall martial artist of his
generation.  Akane only briefly beat Ranma, when she is angry, but she also
loses control.  The next time 
it happens again, Ranma will turn the tables on her.  After all, he may be
deficient
in school, but in the martial arts, he is at the top of his class.  The only
ones that can take on Ranma at his level are, Happosai, Cologne, The Seven
Lucky Gods,
and Herb.  Akane, at her best couldn't even beat Shampoo.  

Besides that, Ranma hasn't even REACHED his full potential yet.  Within a
few years, he will be the best in the world.  So keep that in mind.  As for
his bravery/cowardice, I think that he is probably the the bravest character
in the cast.
After all, he has to eat Akane's cooking.....0_0!  

Putting in my thoughts,

Ken DeSoto
Bay Area Animation Society

"Anime is a state of mind....."