competition -- does winning matter?

Since I started doing yoga I haven't had as much hunger to win -- I'm playing tennis and squash and I love the dance of a good point, i like the focus and demands on my stamina -- but I don't have that killer instinct required to win...

it doesn't really matter when you're just out there having fun, but as you progress in a competitive sport, the intensity ratchets up -- winning requires a take no prisoners attitude -- you can't get rattled by unsportsmanship either -- the world cup head butting is a great example -- at that level -- you can not allow the opposition to get in your head like that -- it is unprofessional --yes, he could have really hurt that guy, but what he ended up doing was hurting his team because he lost his focus, his cool, he allowed that guy to get into his head --

professional athletes are constantly looking for any advantage they can get -- if taunting works, and it's allowed in the rules, it's fair game...

i used to thrive in that environment and I still enjoy a good battle now and then, but my struggle now is an internal fight, it doesn't matter what anyone else is doing -- on the mat is all that matters to me anymore...