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Accepting defeat like a champion
A noticeable characteristic of champions can be seen in how they accept defeat: they respectfully recognize their opponent’s victory, use the defeat as a lesson to do better, and never sink to defeatism nor find excuses for their defeat.
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo greets his rival, Prabowo Subianto, during a recent presidential debate. (The Jakarta Post/Donny Fernando)
I
n tournament sports, one’s victory is only achieved by another’s defeat, and athletes understand and accept that defeat is the only logical outcome aside from victory — and that there can only be one victor.
Spending much of my earlier life on the national fencing team and having learned from world champions, I witnessed that true champions are neither undefeated nor recognized by the number of gold medals they earn; the term “champion” is a trait, a mark of a true sportsman.
A noticeable characteristic of champions can be seen in how they accept defeat: they respectfully recognize their opponent’s victory, use the defeat as a lesson to do better, and never sink to defeatism nor find excuses for their defeat.
On the other side of the arena, there are also those who allow themselves to win at any cost, to the point of bending the rules or even cheating — yes, they win and get medals, but they will never be considered true champions.
The same champion spirit should also apply to politicians running for elections in a democratic society. True athletes possess the Olympic spirit by competing for the glory of sports, just like true politicians rival each other for the betterment of the people and state.
When true Olympians win, it signifies their mastery of the arts and shows they honed their bodies to perfection — the defeat of opponents is the mere consequence. Victory is achieved through one’s self through the rules of the game, not by subduing rivals by other means.
So too should electoral races be conducted in the name of democracy, for the greatest benefit of the people and state.
