An archetype Alpha won't lose in a sports competition as he is the one who trains the hardest, lift and workout the hardest with the strongest mindset to be the best. Therefore, he won't suffer from a loss in competition.

Unfortunately nobody is an archetype Alpha, that include me. This is my last year of being able to compete in an annual high school badminton competition among schools.

I worked moderately for it, as I stopped training early-mid last year and resumed at the end of last year. I tried hard, but clearly it was too late and not hard enough. I won 3 games and lost in the quarter finals match very closely. If I had won I'll at least get a bronze medal.

When you lose like that, just before getting an achievement you have been wanting and trying for years, with it being your very last chance being able to compete as I'm graduating from high school, internally you rage regret and break inside. You can't deny it, you didn't do enough but the time has already pass and you can't do anything about it. I'm not skilled enough to compete beyond high school categories.

How are you supposed to react to this? My ltr found out about me competing in this competition from my friend and was supportive, although I tried to feed her as little information as possible.

How am I supposed to react and act to my badminton partner I disappointed, my ltr and whoever friends who asked me how I did? If I act aloof and brush it off as "who cares", it shows that I do not care about my passion and hobby and shows I do not enjoy it.

If I go ranting and complaining, it shows weakness and selfishness, as if I do not accept it. What is the middle point for this and reacting to such a loss to my partner, ltr and whoever who asks "How was it"?