Losing Like a Champ: How to Make the Most of Your Defeat

The very definition of competition is “the activity or condition of striving to gain or win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others.”

Anthony Joshua’s weekend defeat further buttresses the key fact in our previous motivation capsule: The cat (Joshua) was committed to catching the mouse (Ruiz) to eat as a routine whereas the mouse was determined to survive. In fact, Joshua’s sloppiness eventually cost him his invincibility and three world titles.

I have had my own share of such experience at different times, beginning from my primary school years. I was the undisputed champion until I was dethroned in the last term. I mean, I didn’t graduate as the best student. It was just crazy! Crying did not return my crown – hard work did. And in secondary school, I wrote a better story of consistent success.

Many of us have also been there – slumping to defeat in a surprising and shameful way after being invincible for a long time – and the public never spares us its doses of hype and scorn. Fact is, while we often prepare for success, we neglect to prepare for defeat. This subtle reason shows why a lot of people fail perpetually at the first taste of defeat.

However, if we learn to ‘prepare’ for defeat, we become flexible enough to stretch rather than break when it comes, then take the right posture to avoid total collapse and even stage a sweet comeback like Tiger Woods.

First, to handle defeat properly, you must get UNDERSTANDING which is a function of the right perspective. Defeat is not the end, it is just a bend. It might change your position temporarily, but it will eventually propel you to do what you need to do in order to be where you ought to be. There are bad days just as there are good days; both add colour to life.

Second, you have to adopt the right ATTITUDE. This again flows from a right perspective. Knowing that it is not the end, take Boots Williams advice: “Be humble in victory, be gracious in defeat.” Even if you lose a game, don’t lose your head. Joshua displayed graciousness when he tweeted after the fight, “This is Andy’s night, congratulations Champ.”

When you experience defeat, the game has changed. It is no longer a test of your skill or abilities; it is now a test of your character. The only way to show that you are still the champion that you are is to display great character and mental strength – rare qualities that only real winners possess.

Third, you should have a good REFLECTION. It is human to have weaknesses, to be fallible, and to make mistakes, but it is foolish not to learn from them. Although defeats might manifest suddenly, they often come gradually. For example, Joshua reportedly underrated his opposition while focusing on a future fight with Denotay Wilder, the WBC champion of the world. His physical and mental preparation were quite shallow compared to Ruiz. On the other hand, as an underdog, Ruiz studied all of Joshua’s tricks and moves and was ready to counter them accordingly.

Defeat not only comes to test your character, it also comes to deepen your self-awareness. It reveals what is lacking in you that you are not aware of. Don’t look away; look into the areas of weaknesses that threaten your future success and work on them properly.

Finally, engage the right ACTION: don’t back down, just double up! The big question that echoes in high-sounding decibels is “What next after defeat?” Well, as I said earlier, crying never changes anything. Hard work does. Double your efforts physically and mentally. There will be another chance and you must take it well when it comes. For Anthony Joshua, a rematch is already on the way, and so it is for you. You will win!

To your greatness,

Bright UK

The Chief Scribe