Usually, a failure is followed by distress, resentment, anger and reluctance to participate in any other competitions.

However, let’s chuck away emotions and draw the right conclusions.

If you haven’t won the medal, it doesn’t mean you haven’t acquired anything.

It’s hard to evaluate the experience you get by participating in the competition because this is intangible.

Despite this, each participation, whatever its result, is a step forward.

It’s like an exam at school which shows the extent of training.

To maximally capitalize on the failure you must:

1. Analyze the judges’ marks.

See what marks the judges awarded to other participants, compare them to your performance.

First of all, focus on penalties; they are the most telling document showing your gross errors.

As for other aspects, consider the marks and make conclusions as to what still needs extra workout.

Don’t take the marks as the sole true indicator. Judges’ scoring cannot be impartial.

One judge gives one mark; another judge gives quite a different one.

Make a note of this, but don’t take it too seriously.

2. Draw the right conclusions.

Your loss is not always caused by your mistakes. Maybe, you excelled yourself and did fine, but your rivals were stronger.

This is an opportunity to set yourself new goals and become motivated for new endeavors.

What you must not do:

1. Sort out the situation with the judges.

You may ask for comments from the judges concerning your performance, but you are not likely to receive an exhaustive answer.

Commentaries for the participants are not an obligatory part of the judges’ scoring; in case of a large number of participants it’s rather difficult to remember them all.

If you disagree with the marks, you shouldn’t make a row and dispute with the judges.

This will neither add to your points nor do you honor.

2. Write nasty things about the championship / judges / participants and express disrespect for the organizers.

If you are dissatisfied with the competition results, take your time about writing diatribes in the social media.

Wait till emotions subside and everything emerges in a different light.

Filter your stuff, drop the fantasies and, if still necessary, write your constructive criticism.

3. Don’t cry or pity yourself. Don’t give up training.

Nothing of it will ease your life or bring results.

Best of all is to accept this experience with dignity.

Keep training twice as intensely in order to reach the desired goal in your pole sport competition.