Competition- Finding your best self

In the recent Asian games I have watched some of the best athletes in all of Asia compete. There were people of all ages who fought hard for their countries and their pride. From the teenagers 15 year old squash player Anahat Singh or the 18 year old Sri Lankan Tharushi Karunaratne, to the 65 year old bridge player Jaggy Shivdasani from India it was a varied group - with one thing in common - a desire to compete!

A particular example which stuck in mind for me was Saurav Ghosal, the Indian squash

veteran who has competed at the highest level for over 2 decades in a highly physical sport. He had a never say die attitude aiming to win a gold at the Asian Games. However, he was only able to take home a silver medal. But what resonated with me was that he left everything he had out on the court - and no matter the result his fierce competitiveness was one for the ages - unforgettable!

Throughout the competition the athletes showed all the traits of a great competitor. They were focused, persevering and most importantly they put their blood, sweat and tears into competing. One false step or lapse in concentration and that would be the end of the athletes competition. It was inspiring to watch the Indian contingent do so well throughout the competition. Even during the competition the athletes from all over Asia looked like they were having a great time.

Just last year my brother had to face a highly competitive test which you can take at his age. He persevered and came out benefiting from the experience as a whole. Even though the test was tough, he too looked satisfied and proud once it was over.

At times I feel like my school provides a relatively sheltered environment for me to learn about the real world. The school encourages us and makes sure we are well educated but doesn’t have a particularly competitive vibe, be it on the sports field or in the classroom. I, like most people, am nervous about competing, however I am exceedingly excited to have an opportunity to compete with my classmates.

The term healthy competition is often misused. Healthy competition doesn’t mean no competition at all - it means well organized and enjoyable competition. So, I feel like everyone should take the chance to compete instead of worrying about winning or losing. That said, it is also vitally important to try your best with everything you do. It’s not about winning or losing, it's about if you participate, and how you participate.

So, if you ever get the chance to compete, whether it's on the sports field or while taking an exam, embrace it. It’s as simple as that. Be it for the experience or for any other reason, I promise you won’t regret it. Competing is a life skill. I highly recommend you take the time to learn it now so you don’t have to be 20 years down the road. And in the end, what’s a little competition between friends?