their disdain by stomping around in the changes , openly cursing or that dreaded icy glare in the direction of the judges . These are the folks that need a lesson in sportsmanship . Here in lies the defining moments in a competitor ’ s understanding of sportsmanship and how it applies to the contest or maybe even the entire industry . Respect is only a component of good sportsmanship , but it is usually the largest and most visible part . When you display such behavior as described on stage you are completely disrespecting all the competitors with you on that stage . You may be thinking you are directing your surprise , your anger or lack of understanding at the judges but it is your fellow competitors who notice it first . This displays a distinct lack of respect for their performance or journey .
Now you are off stage , judging has finished and you are not happy . First thing you do is complain . Why ? The most common statement I hear from competitors who did not like their placing or position on stage is “ The judges didn ’ t even see me !” How is that even possible given the format we currently use . Maybe you didn ’ t show them your absolute best . Maybe your posing needs work , maybe your conditioning was just a little off , there are a number of variables that go into judging your presence on stage . Why disrespect the judges with a statement like that .
The awards portion of a contest is probably the worst for disrespect / sportsmanship . While most competitors conduct themselves admirably on stage , I am seeing an increasing number of displays of poor sportsmanship . Just a few examples from the mild to the extreme : receiving a medal not in the placing you wanted and sulking through the rest of the presentation , ripping the medal off or not accepting the medal that is put around your neck , physically signaling the judging panel , throwing your medal at a wall once off stage ( this incident nearly struck a fellow competitor ), ranting off stage in a very loud vulgar manner that you ’ ll never compete here again because you were not judged as you felt you should be . All these are disrespectful and , in all cases , not justified . One of the worst though in my opinion , is not showing up for the awards portion at all , this shows disrespect to everyone involved .
Most of the unsportsmanlike conduct can be blamed on the individual themselves . You have convinced yourself that you are the best wholly based on your own ego and how your ego is fed by friends , family and in some cases your coaches and trainers . Friends and family can be forgiven , after all , it is their purpose to build you up .
What is the solution here ?
Education ! Sportsmanship is a learned behavior , both good and bad . If you are unhappy with a placing at a contest , wouldn ’ t you want to know why . Your friends and family can ’ t tell you ; your coach is likely not able to tell you . They do not have the same experience or vantage point of the judging panel . So why not ask a judge ? There are several ways to receive a critique and you will be told the deficiencies that kept you from the placing you thought you deserved . Once you have received the critique be sure to let your coach know and maybe let your friends and family know that the unfortunate rant you posted on social media after the show should be taken down .
Sportsmanship , good sportsmanship , goes a long way in this industry .