Why does Raditz take so much damage from Gohan?

[SSJ2]

For having comparable power levels, Raditz seemed to take astronomical amounts of damage from Gohan’s attack. Why? Even Vegeta commented that he took a significant amount of damage. I really can’t think of other instances in the series where this happened.

 

[withheldforprivacy]

He was hit on the solar plexus by a homing missile like headbutt. At 23rd TB, an almost dead Goku managed to knock
out Piccolo this way.

 

[SSJ2]

He was hit on the solar plexus by a homing missile like headbutt. At 23rd TB, an almost dead Goku managed to knock
out Piccolo this way.

Well, yeah. I just figure it would work differently against a fighter at full strength as opposed to one who is too weak to defend themselves. But rereading it I guess Raditz didn't really brace himself for the attack despite having plenty of time to.

 

[ahill1]

Yeah, maybe like Withheld stated, being hit in a weak spot by a headbutt may have played a role into the amount of damage he took. Of course, Gohan's power played the bigger role, as Vegeta mentioned that his scouter reading might be accurate considering the amount of damage Raditz took.

 

[SSJ2]

It’s strange though, because you don’t see 18k Vegeta damaging Goku like that. Or Kaioken x3 Goku vs Vegeta. Raditz is implies to lose an outrageous amount of power.

 

[Let's Go Fearless!]

Probably just to show how strong Gohan was and took Raditz by a surprised.